Business groups are pushing back on an agreement by House and Senate negotiators on legislation to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it would make House and Senate consideration of the bill this week a “key vote,” meaning lawmakers will be scored. It argued a ban on plastic-softening chemicals commonly used in children’s toys was not based on science, and that the bill would lead to increased litigation.

“The CPSC has an important function and should receive vigorous support from the Congress.

However, increasing litigation and rejecting sound sciences is not the way in which to show that support,” Josten wrote in a letter to both the House and Senate.

Separately, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) also circulated a strongly worded letter to House and Senate members urging them to vote against the conference report.

“We are deeply concerned enactment of this conference report will undermine uniformity, lead to the uneven enforcement of consumer product safety laws and encourage the filing of specious claims,” reads the letter. “None of this serves the interests of the agency, the regulated community or consumers. Consequently, NAW opposes the conference report and urges the House to reject it.”

The House could vote as early as Wednesday on the agreement, and insiders who worked on the legislation believe that the Senate will vote by Friday.

Democrats at one time had hoped to have the bill approved by Christmas 2007, but it was repeatedly held up by heated debates between the chemical industry and consumer advocates over issues such as banning the plastic-softening chemicals known as phthalates, creating a consumer-friendly online database and ensuring a national toy safety standard.