Wal-Mart is forcing suppliers to reduce the amount of phthalates to 0.1 percent in its products, beginning in August. Those standards are in line with rules being enacted in California, while the new federal legislation on the table does not address phthalates.
Toys "R" Us also hopes to eliminate nickel-cadmium batteries from its products by the end of the year in a move meant to help the environment. The company has instructed suppliers to take steps to abolish the use of such batteries in all items for Toys "R" Us.
It is also forcing stores to have products that are shipped on or after March 1 coded with the manufacturing date, to help identify toys that have been recalled.
Both Toys "R" Us and Wal-Mart are also requiring suppliers to have independent labs test the toys they make more frequently.
O'Brien said Wal-Mart was encouraging its suppliers to stamp date codes on their products.
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