WASHINGTON — Grim-faced and humble, federal regulators and toy companies had no shortage of solutions for a rash of toy recalls that have left parents anxious and Congress angry.

Provide more money to federal regulators, Consumer Product Safety Commission chief Nancy Nord urged Congress, after years in which agency funding has not kept pace with demands.

Hold Chinese subcontractors who make dangerous toys accountable, Mattel Inc. CEO Robert Eckert said, while largely declining the option of taking his business to other countries with higher labor costs.

How about mandatory safety-testing for all toys sold in the U.S., suggested the Toy Industry Association, a proposal that could take months to implement.

But after more than two hours of testimony, none of them offered the assurances that parents probably sought the most: Will the toys I buy for my kids this Christmas season be safe?

"Competition and voluntary actions of today's businessmen do not always suffice to safeguard the public interest," said CPSC commissioner Thomas Moore. "It has taken years for the commission to get to its present position, and it will take years to correct."

Testimony to Congress yesterday detailed loose Chinese standards and spotty U.S. enforcement that have contributed to a spate of recalls of Chinese-made toys, food and other products as health threats.

Eckert said the company could have done a better job overseeing subcontractors in China that produced more than 21 million recalled toys.

He told a Senate Appropriations subcommittee that the company will now test the safety of Chinese-made products with its own laboratories or laboratories certified by the company.

Eckert also disputed reports that public warnings about the dangerous products were delayed because of disagreements with federal regulators. "I, like you, am deeply disturbed and disappointed by recent events. We were let down, and so we let you down," he said. "But we have tackled difficult issues before and demonstrated an ability to make change for the better."

In recent weeks, Mattel has recalled millions of Chinese-made toys, including popular Barbie and "Cars" movie items, because of lead paint and tiny magnets that could be swallowed.

Under federal rules, manufacturers with a few exceptions must report all claims of potentially hazardous product defects within 24 hours. Mattel reportedly took months to gather information and privately investigate after becoming aware of problems.

Yesterday, Eckert said Mattel has been working with the CPSC to "develop a new set of reporting protocols" but denied any suggestions of a feud.