Two Los Angeles-based importers have settled litigation with the U.S. government for violations of children’s product safety laws. The companies – Brightstar Group Inc. and Unik Toyz Trading Inc. – were accused of importing children’s products that contained lead and phthalates and posed a choking hazard to children less than three years of age. Neither company is ASI-listed as a supplier or distributor.

“Companies who do not comply with [the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s] statutes and regulations regarding toys put American children at risk,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Parents have a right to feel confident that the toys their children play with are safe.”  

Brightstar Group, an importer and retailer of children’s products and toys, received nine Letters of Advice from the CPSC between September 2013 and April 2015 for violating product safety standards. Multiple children’s products, including a tea set, fire engine set, toy boxing gloves and marbles were stopped and not sold to consumers. The owner of the company, Sherry Chen, was also sued for importing dangerous infant rattles as manager of Taifung Corp, a company now dissolved.

The CPSC also identified 39 samples of children’s products from Unik Toyz Trading, including toy cars, trains, bubble guns and art materials, which contained illegal levels of lead and small parts and accessible batteries in toys intended for children under three.

Defendants from both companies have agreed to settle the litigation without admission of liability. Both companies have ceased the importing and sale of children’s products and toys until they have come into compliance, as determined by the CPSC.