Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan has subpoened the Juvenile Products Manufacturer's Association to provide any of its documents related to its safety cerification program.

Products that meet the JPMA's voluntary safety certifcation standards bear the JPMA's safety seal. On its website, JPMA notes, "The JPMA is proud to provide a certification program that demands only the best in quality, safety and functionality. That's why JPMA urges all parents to look for the JPMA Certification Seal on products and packages when shopping for baby."

According to the Chicago Tribune, Madigan is investigating how the JPMA allowed its safety seal to be used on millions of cribs that have since been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The federal safety agency said it has recorded 32 infant deaths since 2000 related to problems with drop side cribs. The CPSC has recalled more than 7 million drop side cribs in the past five years. (Read story.) 

"The fact that they (JPMA) knowingly are putting a seal of approval on a deadly product is outrageous. It should be illegal and it needs to be stopped," Madigan told the Tribune.

The JPMA updated its voluntary ASTM crib safety certification program late last year. The update included continued phase out of drop-side crib products sold in the United States, tougher standards for wood slats and spindles, and additional testing requirements to ensure a crib's structural integrity.

Last week, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) called for a ban on the sale and resale of drop side cribs. The JPMA responded with a press release stating that it believes its 2009 ASTM crib safety standard should be adopted as "a uniform mandatorty federal standard." (Read story)