Former_Member
OK... I keep reading all these sad posts about people closing there shops because they are terrified of getting jail time and huge fines. It is my understanding of this law that the felony charges and fines are NOT for lack of testing. Those charges are for introducing products into commerce that have more than the 600ppi lead levels. If we are using materials that we know are inherently lead-free, or have already been tested (like organics), what's the big deal? Your product isn't going to acquire lead because it wasn't tested.

I am not trying to come down on anyone who has decided to close up shop. I completely understand and support your decision. I just want to make sure that you are doing it for the right reasons... and not just out of an abstract fear.
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

That is a very good point, I am bookmarking this and returning in a few.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

marking
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
loveseptember
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Am I wrong?

No that was for pthlatates-I still have to have it tested for lead.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

bitofwhimsy, I agree with you regarding the court of public opinion. People who are fine with it need to remember that the court of public opinion is managed by uniformed people who only have half truths. Those people are quite capable of ruining a reputation.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
loveseptember
Inspiration Seeker

Re: Am I wrong?

Oh I see what you are saying now-I just realized what you meant. Yes, I just saw that others are saying that they are writing "not intended for children 12 and under" and using that loophole. Something not possible for me to do.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

LOL. exactly. Not even POSSIBLE to think that MAYYYYBE it could be used for a person over 12. LOL, in a not so funny way.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

You are right Hip Melon. One person who doesn't give a crap could very well ruin it for everyone. But that could've happened even before this law was passed. For the record, I am working very hard to get this law changed for everyone. I have been busting my ass for the last 3 months writing letters, making phone calls and being viewed as the grim reaper when I visit my local boutiques to tell them that judgement day is coming. That's me and probably THOUSANDS of other small businesses that have been doing exactly the same thing. And what have we seen from our efforts? Some relatively decent media coverage, some really shitty media coverage and blatant disregard from just about every politican out there. This country was founded on a "we the people" philosophy. So far, I haven't seen one shred of evidence that the politicians who voted for this law are listening to their constituents. They have very selective hearing apparently. Civil disobedience, in my *humblest* of opinions is the ONLY way to gain the attention of both the general public and powers that be. I absolutely do not expect every seller to feel comfortable with this risk. But for those who are... let's get it done!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Maybe slings could be marketed as "shopping bags strong enough to hold a baby!"

Kidding.

As far as rumors and public opinion, I was on my local news station talking about CPSIA a few weeks ago. Last week I went to a doctor's appointment, and she said that everyone in the office was spreading rumors that I was in trouble with the government for running a business from home???? My doctor was cracking up. This is a small town and evidently gossip flies. But somehow they got from "handmade business owner going to go out of business because of CPSIA" to "renegade mom running illegal business out of her garage?" I felt like yelling out the exam room door, "Thanks for listening to what I was saying!"
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

lollipop, that is great that you are such an active activists for this. Thanks for your help.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Right there with ya lili! And NOW getting the heck off here before I blow my top! :-) And just for the record, any person who wants to taint my reputation by thinkig that kids get lead poisoning from wearing 100% cotton apparel is not welcome to shop with me anyway, and those who DO shop with me are smarter than that. The strong always survive.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Way to say it "Sister Dilly"!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

matsutake

Someone says you are affected by a law that prohibits a certain level of lead in toys and it can quickly become that you have been selling lead toys and poisoning the kids in your community. Just like playing telephone! lol Except a very serious game of telephone.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

matsutake says:
Maybe slings could be marketed as "shopping bags strong enough to hold a baby!"

Kidding.

As far as rumors and public opinion, I was on my local news station talking about CPSIA a few weeks ago. Last week I went to a doctor's appointment, and she said that everyone in the office was spreading rumors that I was in trouble with the government for running a business from home???? My doctor was cracking up. This is a small town and evidently gossip flies. But somehow they got from "handmade business owner going to go out of business because of CPSIA" to "renegade mom running illegal business out of her garage?" I felt like yelling out the exam room door, "Thanks for listening to what I was saying!"
________________________________________________

To the first part of your post....ROFLMAO. That is an angle I hadn`t thought of.

For the second part. That is exactly what I mean. Getting blackballed for doing NOTHING wrong.

Regardless of all of this. I have full confidence that the law will be fixed before August. the CPSIA to date has yet to define the *reasonable testing measures* needed from Feb-Aug, so at this point we can define them for ourselves and whatever we are comfortable with. That`s fair enough. And in the end if the law isn`t fixed, I will stand by in any fight to change or any fight a mom or small business owner has to face. I just however, can`t bear the thought of a mother being falsely accused and being judged falsely by others and losing her business because of lies any more than I can stand the thought of a mom closing up shop before the law takes affect.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

I don't think you are wrong , but I want to know everything there is to know about what I'm trying to do. (I wish I had something to test everything in my home.) Some upolstery has always seemed questionable to me from way back when. Michael's sold tainted goods and is it just a rumour about the warning on the fabric at Jo-ann's? I almost bought some Holloween candy last year until I read on the label that it came from China. It's buyer AND seller beware these days. And I have $105 in Jo-ann cash to spend too. First I have to know what's what, then I'll know what to do.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Am I wrong?

This all makes me so angry and sad. I am praying for SENSE on the gov'ts part. ugh.
Darrah :o)
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...

Re: Am I wrong?

Bmerry - what is this warning? I've only ever seen the "not intended for use in sleepwear" warning on some of the flannels. When I asked a Joanns employee about the company testing the fabric, she said she didn't know anything specific except that it was imported from Italy (this was the JoAnns brand snuggle flannel) and had to go through a bunch of testing before importing. She didn't know what kind of testing, though.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

DillyBopDesigns
DillyBopDesigns says:
lillipops, if you are wrong, so am I! I am going to do exactly what you are doing, regardless of who thinks what about my business practices. I have worked for a long time to grow my business and will NOT be scared away! The law is bad, and as Americans, we have a right to fight it and stand up for ourselves. I also believe that just because they "can" search us out and prosecute us for selling safe but untested goods doesn't mean they WILL unless there is actually reason to believe we are selling potentially dangerous stuff. And for the last dang time, FABRIC, printed or not, is NOT full of lead, people! There are several sources out there, just like allthenumbers, who have tested HUNDREDS of samples of textile materials (textiles meaning "fabric," not buttons) and NONE of them have had more than a trace amount of lead.
-------
There's a PDF on the CPSC website from the National Textile Association that states this! They've had this info since MAY and they ignored it! I'm going to be posting a link to the PDF in my shop policies, I think I have it in my favorites I'll have to see if I can find it to post. I first found it when I was using the CPSC.gov search function to find information about lead testing and regulations for yarn (apparently CPSC classifies yarn as a type of fabric, there was a letter on the site clarifying the flammability regulations that stated that). I just checked, here it is:

http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/Poole.pdf

Heck, I might just post a link to Thoreau's On the Duty of Civil Disobedience there too....
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

I'm staying in business not because I think I won't be caught, or that my fish is too small to fry...

but because I think this law is unconstitutional, and unfair to small-micro businesses... (as well as redundant)
Focusing enforcement on small and microbusiness would also be an irresponsible use of the available resources. (Less likely to find a problem, and taking inspectors away from where the likely, common problems are.)
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

handmadeheartloved
handmadeheartloved says:
I'm tired of being placed on hold for such a sloppy law.
------
ITA!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Don't you all think though that with the large number of Etsy supporters and the letter that Etsy admin is sending off, that we might have a chance to be saved?
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

I feel I have to point out, since the threat of Attorney Generals is getting waved around, that if an AG did prosecute a light manufacturer whose items were found to contain no lead, who could prove due dilligance and reasonable measures to ensure safety and compliance-- there's no reason to think that the prosecution would necessarily win.

One of the important functions of the judicial branch is to act as a check on the legislative branch, which means that laws can be overturned, partially or wholly, in court.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

this law was poorly written and OBVIOUSLY not really well thought out in terms of wording. I think if it were, do you really think they would have thought it would affect crafters and the entire handmade community? They politicians who wrote this probably didn't even know we existed. I am just crossing my fingers that enough attention will be brought to this matter to change the wording to exclude us somehow!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

ruthscreations:

Yes post the Thoreau!
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Wee, I will try to find the post about the Jo-ann's fabric. It was about quilter's fabric.
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Former_Member
Not applicable

Re: Am I wrong?

Someone just posted this link on another thread, so I thought I'd post and quote it as it pertains to this discussion for anyone still following it:

http://www.nationaltextile.org/library/cpsc/certificate_of_compliance.htm

"Finally, the agency intends to focus its enforcement efforts on a product’s compliance with our safety requirements. While the Commission recognizes that every company is expected to make its best efforts to comply promptly with the new certificate requirements, the agency intends initially to focus more on compliance with the safety rules underlying the certificate, rather than on the certificate or form of the certificate itself. For addition information and a copy of the rule, go to www.cpsc.gov"
Translate to English There was a problem fetching the translation.
0 Likes
Reply
Loading...
Reply
You must log in to join this conversation.
Remember that posts are subject to Etsy's Community Policy.