WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (Reuters) - A U.S. Senate committee on Tuesday launched an investigation of American safety standards for children's clothing and toys in the wake of product recalls of mostly Chinese-made products.

The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs is looking into whether the Consumer Product Safety Commission has enough resources and authority to ensure the safety of toys and children's clothing, particularly imports, Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said in a statement.

"Recent recalls of toys with dangerous levels of lead paint and small magnets that can come loose and be swallowed suggest that not enough is being done to ensure the safety of these items before they reach store shelves and the hands of America's children," she said.

"We will examine whether new legislation is needed to protect children from hazardous toys and clothing," said Collins, the most senior Republican on the oversight committee.

A series of scandals involving substandard Chinese exports, ranging from pet food to toys, has pressured Beijing to clean up its manufacturing sector. China has blacklisted 429 exporters and launched a product safety drive.

Collins said the investigation could lead to tougher laws on standards or testing for toys and children's clothing.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent government agency.

On Tuesday, the commission announced the voluntary recall of 6,000 Robbie Ducky Kids Watering Cans imported by Jo-Ann Stores Inc. of Hudson, Ohio, because the beaks of the cans contained lead paint.

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