WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bill passed by Congress would ban lead and phthalates from children's toys and enact stricter pre-market testing requirements.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act would ban children's toys with all but minute levels of lead and children's toys and products containing six phthalates. The bill addresses other safety issues, requiring that many products, such as toys with small magnets, comply with mandatory standards instead of voluntary standards.

The phthalates, used to make plastic soft and flexible, were banned by the European Union in 2005.

The bill boosts the power of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, doubling its budget to $136 million by 2014, increasing its staff and expanding its authority in overseeing product testing and penalizing violators. Under the law, toys would have to be tested by a third-party certifier before being put on the market.

In addition, it provides whistleblower protection for employees reporting violations or product dangers, and requires that the Commission set up a database for anyone to contribute information on injuries, deaths or risks related to children's toys and products.

The legislation covers products intended for children ages 12 and under. It defines products as containing lead if any part of the product contains lead or lead compounds that weigh more than 0.03 percent of the total weight of the part. It covers only parts of products that children can be physically exposed to during normal product use.

The House of Representatives passed the bill with a 424-1 vote, the Senate passed it 89-3, and a White House spokesperson said President Bush is expected to sign it into law.

Since the wave of toy recalls last year, numerous companies, retailers and states have addressed toy safety though self-imposed regulations.