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2 Congressional Panels Take Interest In Mattel's Recalls

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The Associated Press

Published: September 8, 2007

WASHINGTON - Mattel's CEO Robert Eckert is expected to testify in separate congressional hearings the next two weeks about the company's procedures alerting federal regulators of major toy recalls.

In just more than a month, Mattel, the world's largest toy maker, has announced three major recalls because of concerns about excessive lead paint in Chinese-made toys the company sold.

Hearings in the House and the Senate are expected to examine Mattel's dealings with the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which oversees product safety and recalls, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Lawmakers also are expected to focus on the commission's budget, enforcement practices and record in identifying toys with lead paint and other defects. At least two commission members also are scheduled to testify.

A Senate Appropriations subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., is slated to hold a hearing Wednesday, and the commerce, trade and consumer protection subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing Sept. 19, the Journal article said.

A call by The Associated Press seeking comment from Mattel was not immediately returned.

Mattel announced Tuesday it was recalling 800,000 toys, including 675,000 accessories for Barbie dolls. Part of that recall included 90,000 units of GeoTrax locomotive line and about 8,900 Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys, both sold under the company's Fisher-Price brand name.

The El Segundo, Calif.-based company's second recall was announced Aug. 14 for 19 million toys worldwide. Mattel's first recall involving lead paint was on Aug. 1 for 1.5 million preschool toys featuring characters such as Dora the Explorer, Big Bird and Elmo. That recall involved almost 1 million toys sold in the United States between May and August.

Mattel stock fell 62 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $21.30 Friday. The stock has traded between $19.32 and $29.71 the past 52 weeks.

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