The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Aug. 17 that a California company has agreed to pay a $31,500 civil penalty to settle allegations that it knowingly imported and sold toys that did not meet the requirements of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. According to a CPSC press release, the company imported more than 11,000 toys that contained small parts that presented choking and aspiration hazards to young children.

“CPSC’s new authority to seek higher civil penalties does not mean we will ignore serious violations by small businesses,” said CPSC Chair Inez Tenenbaum. “We will continue to take enforcement action against any business, large or small, that violates the Commission’s product safety laws and regulations.”