Reebok agrees to record fine

The U.S. government has fined athletic shoe and apparel maker Reebok International $1 million for importing and distributing charm bracelets that contained toxic levels of lead.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the civil penalty is the largest ever for a violation of the Federal Hazardous Substance Act, which bans dangerous lead levels in children's toys and other products. Enforcement action is possible if lead content exceeds 0.06 percent by weight.

Canton, Mass.-based Reebok recalled the 300,000 bracelets in 2006 after a report that a 4-year-old girl died from lead poisoning associated with swallowing a piece of a bracelet. The bracelets, made in China, were provided as a free gift with the purchase of various styles of children's footwear.

This civil penalty sends a clear message that the CPSC will not allow companies to put children's safety at risk, Acting Chairman Nancy Nord said. Preventing dangerous metal jewelry from reaching the hands of children is a priority for our agency. In agreeing to settle the matter, Reebok denies that it violated federal law.

Last year a string of faulty products, including many toys containing lead paint, from China and other countries were recalled and led the government to implement a safety plan to increase monitoring and inspection of imported products. 

Source: American shipper