CPSC & CPSIA new laws bad fo all handmade children's items

[#1]

I posted this originally at ETSY NJ & plan on posting it everywhere I can.
The CPSC & CPSIA new law guidelines effect most of us - sign or start a PETITION NOW.
All of us should support each other and stand united to get exclusions or amendments or extensions for compliance referencing USA handmade products and small batch items to this new law by writing to our public officials. Even if none of your items are made directly for children ... Can you imagine an ETSY, FireArt, 1000 Markets, a local craft show or eBay without any children's items in it?

This is effectively THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHILDREN'S PRODUCT RECALL ever imagined. But without the option of returning the items for refund or replacement.

THIS NEW CPSIA WILL EFFECT ALL OF US that sell ANY products that can be consider for children. Not just toys and jewelry, but CLOTHING, ROOM DECOR, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, EDUCATIONAL AIDS, ART WORK, ART SUPPLIES, PILLOWS, HAIR BOWS so on & etc. if it is made for someone 12 & under to use it will be subject to the certified testing. Even HAND-ME-DOWNS as resales or vintage items will be subject to the testing. To read the whole "brief", 67 pages long, requires some basic law education but you can get the gist of it in the CPSIA's FAQ section http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.html#educational

This new law is blindsiding us by giving very little notice to comply to it, if we're even able to provide the proofs the the CPSC wants. It's been so under the radar the ETSY doesn't have a STORQUE article on it yet. Niether has eBay or most of the other online seller's outlets even mention the new law. I think there waiting for after the holidays to tells us that lots of the items we bought are now effectively illegal and that we should of never given them to our children in the first place. There should be some type of grandfathering clause included that parents shouldn't have to shell out more good money if they feel their child is in danger just because the government said the product is not longer safe.

This will put quite a few of us out of business. Even larger companies are having problems complying with the deadline or the batch material testing requirements. Here a set of excerpts from a recent CPSIA hearing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlY6zOMPqQ, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlMh7MJiodY&feature=related, & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk0Vr0yDrXc&feature=related.

Don't just believe that the legislation will change on it's own, do something to let your voice be heard. Write a congressperson, tell ETSY what you feel about this law, blog about it, just get your voice heard by CPSIA that the law is impractical and bias towards small & cottage industries. People for a Greener Earth should also take up this issue since it will put an end to reusing durable children's products outside of the immediate hand me down process, sending tons of good resalable items to landfills.

Many items that were legal this holiday season will be banned come Feb. 10, 2009 regardless of if the child's product was a handheld video game by a super multinational corporation, a made in the USA pair of jeans from a local mom & pop retailer, or one of the fantastic wooden toys available at ETSY shops because it failed testing & needs to be reworked or wasn't tested yet. This means it would even be illegal and punishable by fines and jail time to resell or reuse, outside your own home, those items in anything that that would be for a child unless they were previously tested. So no one, even a consumer looking to green up the Earth a little, could list a child's items as vintage piece at ETSY or a sell it as used on eBay or at a garage sale without it having the the testing done.

Generals threads for any one :
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5938698
http://www.ipetitions.com/
http://forums.ebay.com/db1/thread.jspa?messageID=511163411&forumID=124&x#511163411

for toy makers :
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/
http://grecowoodcrafting.wordpress.com/

for children's clothing, doll clothes, hair bows, and accessory makers :
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5935443
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/

If you know of any more threads and sites that address the issue PLEASE post them here. To be informed is to be forewarned. Especially if this means you will have to close shop and retool your business towards something that doesn't deal with any children's products.

[Former_Member]

It would be lovely to have supplies tested. Sadly, manufacturers of the supplies (fabric, for example, or yarn) don't want to be saddled with cumbersome new requirements either (can't blame them), so have the "out" that their products will (theoretically) be USED by non-children. HAH - I learned to knit when I was 5 years old!

[Former_Member]

I just had to post my latest *headdesk* moment here:

I sent a letter to my Congresspeople, mentioning the impact this would have on the economy, explaining the burden of testing that would be repeated along multiple steps of the supply line on small businesses like mine, and so on, and after several days I got a form letter back from one of them. Here it is:

Dear Mrs. [My Name]:

Thank you for contacting me about the importance of ensuring that consumer products meet basic safety standards.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) was created in 1972 by Congress and began operating in 1973. For the last thirty -five years, the CPSC has been charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC protection efforts have decreased the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products by thirty percent . Such deaths, injuries and property damage cost the nation more than $800 billion annually.

I am in agreement with you that manufacturers, importers and retailers should be held accountable for the products they import and sell, and I support consumer product safety reform. Consumer products such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals should not pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or injure children. P arent s and grandparent s deserve to be confident that the products they bring into their home are safe.

For these reasons, I sponsored two amendments to H.R. 4040 .

The first amendment requires the CPSC to develop training standards for the safety inspectors and technical personnel. The second provision, co-sponsored with Senator Barack Obama , standardizes recall information on products deemed unsafe - including where the products were sold, where they were produced, and how consumers can obtain a refund or replacement. This provision was included in Section 214 of the final bill enacted this year .

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was introduced by Representative Bobby Rush in 2007. H.R. 4040 provides greater protection for children's products, improves the screening of noncompliant consumer products, and improves the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs. Specifically, H.R. 4040 would require mandatory third-party testing of children's products and lowers the standard for lead in products from 600 parts per million to 100 parts per million.

Hearings on were held by the Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government in April 2008. T he house passed H.R. 4040 by a vote of 401-0 on July 30, 2008 , and i t was forwarded to the Senate. I voted for H.R. 4040 and the Senate passed it by a vote of 89-3 the next day. On August 14, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 became Public Law No. 110-314.

Please be assured that I will continue to work to ensure the safety of consumer products and support efforts to increase resources and funding for the CPSC. Again, thank you for contacting me about this important issue. Please feel free to do so about this or any other matter of importance to you. "

Given the amount of mail a member of Congress probably gets on a daily basis, I don't mind a form letter too much. But GEEZ, could someone at least send me the one addressing what I wrote?!?!? Of course, maybe it didn't occur to anyone that anyone would object to the law, so they only wrote one letter!

</*headdesk*>

[Former_Member]

Wow, nothing new? Guess it's time to.....


BUMP IT UP!!!!

[Former_Member]

GTD, what I want to know is why the government is so concerned about keeping us safe anyway.

We can't do anything with our lives but worry about every little thing that might happen to us. The government controls all parts of our lives, restricts our choices, tells us what to believe, instills fear and panic about the weather, which has been annoying enough, and now we have to be afraid of our bed linens.

For our safety they have taken all of our individual responsiblities upon themselves. We don't have to ever feel bad about making wrong decisions because the government is going to see to it that we don't even have a chance to do that. For our safety the government allows us a very shallow existence. We are focused on race, appearances, sex education, entertainment, and self-esteem at the same time we are constantly worried about the mortgage/rent, utilities that are getting higher and higher, and whether or not you expressed an opinion that out of the entire population of the world, 2 people found unpopular, therefore you must hate everyone. We are bound up, safe, not free to think, not free to speak, not free to work. Neither we nor our children are safe. We are only alive.


Keeping us alive only prolongs the misery.

[Former_Member]

wow tyedye, did they even READ or at least gloss over your questions to them??


At least you got some sort of reply, I've yet to hear back from my elected officials.

[Former_Member]

Your elected captors?

[Former_Member]

I was trying to be nice, but yes GG, the captors who control us and strip away our civil liberties one seemingly good law after another

[Former_Member]

Good morning ... marking

[Former_Member]

PurpleDaisies, no I have a sneaking suspicion that they assumed any letter about the CPSIA would be in favor of it, who could possibly be against it, for Goodness' sake? @_@

GG, I also prefer that the government not over-legislate my safety. Thing is, though, that by not having any standards, that opens up the door for anyone with no integrity to make their merchandise out of any old toxic stuff and no consumer has the brain space to keep up with all the information out there about lead, phthalates, and whatever other toxin that a manufacturer might be leaving in their mechandise.

Frankly, when I started out, I assumed that if they sold RIT dye in so many stores, it must all be fine and dandy (and it might be), but when I saw how much it bled and faded, THAT was when I (as a "manufacturer"), THAT'S when I discovered the permanent non-bleeding (and therefore safer) dyes I use now. People making the most adorable caps and booties and dresses also should know about their materials and their safety level, and without some sort of safeguards in place in the first place, it's not hard to see how badly-made materials with toxins could get into the supply chain. Even WITH the standards, look how many toys from China were affected.

If we have information, at least we can make informed decisions, but as a mom AND a manufacturer AND a homeschool teacher AND AND AND, I do feel it'd be nice to rely on someone else to have that info and conform to it.

But this has definitely gone into the realm of throwing out the baby with the bathwater.... :-(

[Former_Member]

I got a very similar form letter from the senator from my state. He didn't even address the questions that I asked of him.

Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 2663 , the " Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act." It is good to hear from you.



S. 2663 was introduced on February 25 , 2008 . This legislation would reauthorize the Consumer Product Safety Act and authorize additional funding for the agency to increase staff levels, improve testing facilities, and increase CPSC agents at U.S. ports of entry. It would also ban the use of lead in all children's products and increase civil and criminal penalties for violating product safety laws.



The CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. This commission has contributed to a 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. As you may be aware, o n July 18, 2007, President Bush issued an executive order to establish an interagency working group on import safety to identify actions and appropriate steps that can be pursued to promote the safety of imported products.



I understand your concerns about the regulation and quality of goods not only manufactured in the United States , but also those imported into this country. S. 2663 passed the Senate on March 6, 2008, with my support, by a vote of 79-13. Companion legislation, H.R. 4040, passed the House of Representatives on December 19, 2007. The bill was conferenced between the House and Senate and differences between the two versions of the bill were resolved. H.R. 4040 was signed into law (P.L. 110-314) by the President on August 14, 2008.

This is so very frustrating.

[Former_Member]

I'm feeling kinda combative today. Maybe I'll put my PMS to good use and make some phone calls...... *evil grin*

[Former_Member]

Where is this petition?? I was under the impression that the Government won't recognize online petitions as legal. So, are we supposed to mail a copy to every etsian?? I was making clothes for kids, and enjoying it, but this is too much. What about a shirt for a mom....a child might accidentally rub up against it while hugging their mom. So, I guess things made for adults are out of the realm of etsy now too????? (tie dye-I have pms, too!!!)

[Former_Member]

taken from the CPSC website http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09042.html

"Foreign manufacturers and private labelers of imported products do not need to issue certificates, and they do not need to be listed as parties on certificates. For products manufactured in the United States, only the domestic manufacturer needs to issue the certificate. Private labelers do not need to issue certificates, and do not need to be listed as parties on certificates."

[Former_Member]

hi,

i am going to jump in and try to sort this all out.

maybe i am dense but are we the domestic manufacturer or private labelers?

and if we are the domestic manufacturer we need to supply our customers with the certificate with our product. which we need to obtain from the fabric, button, zipper manufacturers.

is that right?

[2kute]

I am trying to understand this.
I need to have it simplified:
is this statement correct?

everything that is handmade for children 12 and under needs to be tested.

[SkyviewClay]

Imports...

This is from the CSPC FAQs, but it only mentions toys.

Will toys manufactured outside the United States be allowed to be imported to the US for lead testing or will the testing have to be performed outside the US (and pass the new standards) prior to being imported into the US?
Manufacturers may submit samples of products for testing in the United States without certifying them. However, before shipping any products other than these samples, i.e., products imported for consumption or warehousing or distribution in commerce in the United States, the products must have the required certifications.

Who knows??????

[Former_Member]

theres a petition , where do we sign it at?

[Former_Member]

dinolover77 says:
theres a petition , where do we sign it at?
...........................................................


http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA?e

[Woolboro]

I would like to add this. Please also forward this to anyone you know would sign it. Sorry if this has been already posted, I didn't read all pages.

I received this letter, I copied and pasted it and cast my vote already. Please check it out and cast your vote. Thanks!




Late last week Cecilia created a Facebook page for the Handmade Toy Alliance, and in three short days we have over 700 members! On Friday I asked people to vote for a change in the CPSIA through change.org. The page quickly soared to the top 5 of the change.org ideas for Economy and is now in 1st place! Lets keep it there. As long as we stay in the top 3, the idea will presented by change.org, to Obama on inauguration day. Please join the Facebook page, and your vote to change.org (see links below).

Craftsbury Kids is made up of over 100 independent artists and manufacturers of products for children, including not only toys, but clothing, jewelry, and other gifts. All of our crafters, (and even some of our larger manufacturers) not just the toymakers, will be put out of business if the CPSIA is enacted as written. Thriving small businesses are crucial to the financial health of our nation. I'm confident that together, we can get the CPSIA amended so that all businesses, large and small are able to comply and survive!


Facebook - Help Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=49551386833

Vote to Save Handmade & The Children's Industry on change.org
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

[bobbinalong]

I talked in length with a gentleman in my congressman's office today. He has been talking in length with the CPSC regarding this law. This all came about as a result of my TV interview last Friday. The law is as we understand it. I tried to exlain to him that I thought handmade items were better because of the trust and care that goes into them. He says that we don't know about the products that we use to produce these items. In other words, pretty much like all the parents who are afraid about the harm the store bought toys hold in store. He will keep in contact with the CPSC and call me about every three days until February 10. The TV reporter and I will be in contact every week until February 10. I am trying to do my part, as we all are. Everyone thinks it is so wrong. I explained to the fellow today that none of us want to see a kid harmed. But, some of us need extra income, especially in this economy. I will post any news I get on this subject as I receive it. I explained to this gentleman today how to get to the Forums. He can read our views on this topic in the many threads. Hopefully, he will relay them on to the CPSC.

[Former_Member]

Marking ... Good Night

[Former_Member]

hi,

it would be best if all products were tested before sold in the united states. or if we obtained a certificate saying fabric, snaps, buttons meet guidelines.

we need to keep this movement going, it is not fair. i used to make baby bibs and stuffed toys. i want to be able to do so if i want to again.

i have signed the petition, joined the facebook group and emailed my friend and family, even store owners i used to sell my product to, the link to sign the petition. i don't know if all those eco-friendly children's stores even know how they will be impacted!

let's keep the good work, and hopefully our new president will do something when presented with this problem!!

[BolenArt]

I'm not sure if this link has been posted or not yet

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

Hope we can get this law amended before it's too late

[CuckooBoo]

how can we get the message to obama? He is for small buisnesses and helping out the middle class, he should be all over this and working on the economy is his first priority when he takes office.

[Former_Member]

cuckoboo:

go to http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia