On February 9th, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA, it’s a mouthful) will take effect. It was enacted in the wake of the lead toy scandal of 2007 when toys with dangerously high lead content and/or unsafe small parts and magnets that were primarily manufactured in China had to be recalled. The law requires sellers of products intended for children ages 12 and under to certify that the item (clothing, school supplies, cloth diapers, car seats, boy scout patches, bicycles, sippy cups, toys, etc.) is free of lead. While it is laudable that Congress acted swiftly, it appears that the law will result in unintended consequences:
- Resellers such as Goodwill Stores, or the Salvation Army will violate the law by selling children’s items that have not been tested
- Small crafts businesses that make toys from unfinished wood using food grade paint and beeswax cannot afford the testing costs and may have to consider ending their business
- A retailer specializing in organic cotton children’s clothes imported from Europe will have to ensure that those goods have been tested for lead
No one opposes the intent of a law ensuring that children are not exposed to lead and phthalates. The problem is that the broad, expensive testing requirements of this law may force small manufacturers whom parents have sought out for their natural, handcrafted products to close their shops. In its attempt to regulate large corporate entities creating mass-produced wares, the legislature appears to have overlooked small local businesses and the second hand industry. In fact U.S. Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis, who voted for the law, stated “Nobody knew we’d have these consequences.” St. Petersburg Times.
If you want to meet one of these crafters, watch this five-minute interview with Amber Dusick who makes wooden toys.
For more information, visit these links:
Handmade Toy Alliance
Full Text of HR4040, the CPSIA
The Giveaway
For the giveaway I’m offering up a set of three hair clips I made for my shop a while ago. To get them, just leave a comment. Share how you feel about this. I will announce the winner on Thursday, January 15.
Selecta Toys appears to be one of the first casualties. http://www.selecta-spielzeug.de/index.php/selecta_en/
They announced that they would pull out of the US market on Dec. 31, 2008.
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/news—updates/selectaspielzeugsaysgoodbye
I am sorry it has come to this! Those crafts are usually better and safer made than those toys you buy.
I had no idea about this – wow.
I find this law very sad. It is going to put soooo many people out of business. I just hope the national news starts to talk about it soon.
=) melanie
http://melaniescrafts.blogspot.com
melanieadey at hotmail dot com
Honestly I’m not sure what to think about this.. I’ll have to give it some thought. I think these clips are cute though!
I still need to read the legislation to see how it will affect me. Chances are that it well, but I don’t know what we are supposed to do about it. Government officials just don’t “get it” from what I know. They need to see how we pions live to be able to more fully understand what we really need from them.
Ugh, I’ve got so many handmade items picked out for when we have kids… and with this all we’ll be able to buy will be the stuff at the bulk stores.
I really don’t like the sounds of this new legislation because I think it will hurt small business owners
Love the clips!
Hmmm, I understand wanting kids items to be safe but its sad if people are put out of business! Thanks for the giveaway!
I would rather by something from a direct person, that has put their heart into their work than a company that has mass produced their items overseas.
i know so many fabulous crafters that will be affected by this. it is ridiculous! i understand the intent but it needs to be rewritten!
I think the law needs to be reworked to protect crafters. Perhaps they can make it necessary to have an advisory on any merchandise that is under question. This gives the power back to the consumer, in deciding what’s important to them when they purchase.
It is such a hard issue really when you think about it..if it puts 1000 people out of business but saves the life of one child, then would it still be worth doing?
madamerkf at aol dot com
We all want kids to be protected, but for it to affect sellers of handmade items, many who are trying to provide a healthier alternative to mass production, is ironic.