Regards health and safety requirements for stuffed toys

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Kyle Koehler

The bill requires registration, labeling, and sanitation for stuffed toys and bedding, plus prohibits sale or import without compliance to safety standards.

Referred to committee

#commerce #consumerprotection

Overview

SB 448 (Ohio, 136th General Assembly) proposes health and safety requirements for stuffed toys and bedding products. The bill governs import, manufacture, renovation, sale, and labeling of these items and creates registration and compliance mechanisms administered by the superintendent of industrial compliance. It also directs updates to state labeling rules.

Main purpose and intent

Establish and enforce safety standards for stuffed toys and bedding to protect public health and safety.

Require registration for entities involved in manufacturing, importing, refurbishing, or selling stuffed toys and second-hand bedding/toys.

Ensure proper labeling and sanitation of new and second-hand items.

Allow administrative flexibility through variances where strict compliance is unnecessary to protect health and safety.

Key provisions and changes

Definitions (Section 3713.01):

Clarifies meaning of terms such as “person,” “bedding,” “secondhand,” “remade/repaired/renovated articles not for sale,” “sale,” “upholstered furniture,” “stuffed toy,” “tag/label,” “crib bumper pad,” “reclaimed material,” and “recycled material.”
Specifically defines “stuffed toy” and related terms to establish scope.

Registration and compliance (Section 3713.02):

Prohibits import, manufacture, renovation, wholesale, reupholstery of stuffed toys or bedding, and sale of second-hand versions, without first registering with the superintendent of industrial compliance (except as otherwise provided by 3713.05).
Requires labeling of all bedding and stuffed toys sold or offered for sale, in accordance with 3713.08.
Prohibits labeling that is false or misleading.
Requires sanitation of second-hand bedding or stuffed toys before sale.
Establishes that possession of such items by a registrant (or their agent) in the course of business is prima facie evidence of intent to sell.
Allows manufacturers to seek a variance from the Superintendent of Industrial Compliance if strict application is deemed unnecessary to protect health and safety.

Administrative actions (Section 4101 update):

Directs the Department of Commerce to update labeling requirements in the Ohio Administrative Code to align with these new rules.

Affected parties and impacts

Businesses involved in:

Importing, manufacturing, renovating, wholesaling, or reupholstering stuffed toys and bedding.
Selling second-hand stuffed toys or bedding.

Regulators:

Superintendent of Industrial Compliance (primary enforcement and registration authority).
Department of Commerce (update of labeling regulations).

Consumers:

Increased assurance of product safety through registration, labeling, and sanitation standards.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill establishes clear registration and labeling requirements before any sale or importation of stuffed toys or second-hand bedding.

Sanitation standards apply to second-hand items prior to sale.

Variances may be granted by the superintendent if warranted.

Administrative code updates are mandated to reflect new labeling requirements (via the Department of Commerce).

Note: As introduced, the bill repeals existing sections and replaces them with the new framework, with applicability governed by sections 3713.021 and 3713.022.