? President Bush signed legislation Thursday that bans lead from children?s toys.

The bill imposes the toughest standards in the world concerning products for children 12 years of age or younger. It also bans a substance called phthalates, which is used to make plastic products softer and more flexible.

However, the phthalate ban has drawn criticism from the chemical industry, with representatives saying the substance has been used for decades with no definite evidence of health risks. Stores like Walmart and Toys ?R Us have already started phasing out products containing the chemical.

Parents are generally pleased with the measure.

?I think the kids taking lunch boxes and things to school, I'm a school teacher as well as a parent and you know you want to protect your children from getting sick from things they shouldn't be sick from," say Laurie Davis, of Howell.

The legislation also doubles the budget of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which was widely criticized following last year?s lead toy recalls. Pre-market, third-party laboratory testing of toys for lead and compliance to safety standards is now also required.