• The New York Times, Friday, September 7, 2007 1 PM

Facing broadening questions about the safety of toys sold in the U.S. as the holiday season approaches, toy makers are asking the federal government to impose mandatory safety-testing standards for all toys sold here.

Acknowledging a growing crisis of public confidence caused by a series of recent recalls, the nation's largest manufacturers propose measures that would require companies to hire independent laboratories to check a certain portion of their toys, whether made in the U.S. or overseas. Leading toy companies already do such testing, but industry officials say that it has not been enough.

Industry executives also acknowledge that part of the goal is to reassure the American consumer after a summer of toy recalls. "If the consumer is aware that the government has some responsibility... it will set their minds at ease," says Jeff Holtzman, CEO of the Goldberger Company, a toy maker.

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