April 26, 2010
There is nothing more important than the safety of our customers. Upon learning of a concerning media report about cadmium earlier this year, we took immediate action. We removed the items identified from our shelves and instructed stores to block sales at registers.
We also launched our own review and testing, and continue to actively participate in the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s review, along with suppliers and industry associations, to determine what standards should be established. These proactive steps resulted in our adoption of new Walmart testing standards very similar to the British Standard Safety of Toys-Part 3, widely considered a leading safety standard. All toys, child care articles, children’s costume jewelry and children's jewelry craft making kits tested on or after April 9, 2010 must meet these new Walmart requirements. We have communicated this in detail to our suppliers, and require full compliance.