The Toy Industry Association, a toy industry group that includes over 500 companies as members, is requesting that testing and inspection of toys sold in the U.S. become mandatory by federal law.  The request was made last week in response to numerous toy recalls over the last few weeks (see, for example, 'Batman, One Piece Toys Recalled') for a variety of safety issues.  The organization is also working to establish standards for testing and for the certification of testing laboratories. 

Recalls of unsafe children's products manufactured in China have not been limited to toys.  Martin Designs recalled around 250,000 Spongebob Squarepants address books and journals late last month because their metal spiral bindings violated regulations regarding the use of lead paints.      

Europe has had testing requirements for toys for years, along with a required mark to certify that testing has been performed. 

If the U.S regulations are adopted as the industry group recommends, there would be a number of questions for manufacturers and retailers of pop culture products.  For example, would the regulations apply to figures, other toys, or games marketed to an adult market?  And how would smaller manufacturers, who may not do any independent testing of their products now, absorb the costs (or would they have to be passed on to the consumer)?