CPSIA - Current Decisions

[bobbinalong]

A kind shopowner convo'd me with this link.

It will take time to read, to understand, to check all the "fine print". I have not done all of that yet.
I did glance at the comments by Nancy Nord.

Might be worthwhile to look at and study.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html

[meredithdillman]

Nord:

"It is important to clearly understand what the stay does and does not do. The stay of enforcement of the testing
and certification provisions will give some temporary and limited relief to small manufacturers, home-based
businesses and crafters who cannot comply with the law without incurring substantial testing costs. However, the
stay does not relieve them of complying with the underlying requirements enacted by Congress and which go into
effect on February 10, 2009, dealing with lead, phthalates and a number of other toy standards. Any changes to
these requirements will need to be addressed by Congress.
"

[meredithdillman]

Those are good to read. She is saying it doesn't aply to "charities, thrift shops, resellers and small retailers who are impacted especially hard by the retroactive effect of the lead ban to existing inventory."

"The retroactive nature of the lead ban has caused much of the concern that has been voiced over this law but Congress will need to
address that issue; the CPSC cannot."

[TheTinyFig]

I'm confused.. they are saying we dont have to test for a year right? so what does this mean?

"However, the
stay does not relieve them of complying with the underlying requirements enacted by Congress and which go into
effect on February 10, 2009, dealing with lead, phthalates and a number of other toy standards."

We all assume that there is no lead in our items but how do we know that we are complying to these standards without actually doing the testing?

[Former_Member]

So is it saying as a garment maker I just need to make sure all my components meet all safety measures and I do not have to have my product tested until the commision makes a decision.

[HeatherJonesStudio]

TinyFig, I think one way we could do that is by obtaining testing info and certificates from our suppliers. For example, I'm getting a GCC from my snap supplier, and I'm looking into getting them from my fabric suppliers as well.

[NotMyTreeStore]

I am happy and grateful about the stay, don't get me wrong. But I was wondering the same things, TheTinyFig. It sort of sound like the same "exemptions" given to thrift stores before have been extended to sellers here. "Just be sure your items don't have lead or phthalates, but we're not going to require you to test. Just know they don't." For lots of materials that's easy, through manufacturer's certificates (and the fact that fabric and yarn naturally don't contain lead). But it's vague.

Still, I'm going to roll with it and sell!

[bobbinalong]

Open this link and read the letter written by Commissioner Moore. WORTH READING, EVERYONE!!!!!

[CogansCreations]

TinyFig.....it is pretty much the same as the ruling made for thrift shops/resellers. You don't have to test (the testing portion of the law won't be enforced), but you still will be obligated to meet the new requirements. The law still applies, but the requirements for testing and certification won't be enforced.

Also, there are a few exceptions to the stay of testing - they are on page four of the actual CPSC document.

[bobbinalong]

The letters I am talking about = the links = are down further on the page.

[TheTinyFig]

thanks everyone for unconfusing me.

[Former_Member]

Well I am happy about the stay and since almost all of my products are made from fabric, thread or yarn I don't believe they have much lead in them. I do believe the stay is as much for the commission as it is for small business and crafters, they can now try and back up gracefully and start over. I hope everyone sleeps better tonight!

[bobbinalong]

The Commissioner is talking about buttons, zippers, snaps. Beware!!

[Former_Member]

Excellent article if you want to know who is pushing this law...and N> Norde is correct...if you think the stay is a reprieve for you then you have just been fooled again, can you hear them laughing....

http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_product_safety/009325.html

[Former_Member]

Well I guess I've been fooled because I thought it was a reprieve. Somebody explain it to me.

[Former_Member]

agree with bobbin...read the Moore's statement on the vote near the bottom.

[Former_Member]

The stay is not a reprieve, it is to quiet us down. The law still stands, if you don't "KNOW" your items meet the new and stricter and stricter requirements then you better understand the possible consequences of selling them.
Remember in August the acceptable limits drop even lower, from 600ppm to 300ppm with the possibility that in a year then could drop to 100ppm.

[NotMyTreeStore]

"then you better understand the possible consequences of selling them."

But what *are* the possible consequences of selling them? Doesn't this stay pretty much say they don't know how to enforce it, and they just recently solicited recommendations for what those consequences should be? Is it safe to say that many, if not most, if not nearly everything, made by sellers and sold on here as children's items would be safe (by a landslide) under these guidelines? I think most people know their items are safe.

[Former_Member]

As a seller of vintage and antique items if I sell my items without knowing they meet these new requirements I face huge fines and prison time....As there is no way for me to know that I will not be selling them.

[Former_Member]

I "Know" my items are safe, and if I were to make something with zippers, buttons or snaps I would make sure they did not contain lead.
I do think this stay was more for the commission than for us they didn't do anything but give themselves more time. I still feel it is a reprieve,I can continue to do what I enjoy! I can't afford third party testing.

[Former_Member]

It's a start...whether it's to shut us up for a bit, or if they are really stepping back and seeing the big picture of this law finally it is a start so don't stop fighting! This battle isn't over...
I am still going forward with testing...I want to be sure and as safe as possible but it is fantastic to know that MAYBE we're all being heard a bit now! Thanks to ALL the wonderful people who fought and are fighting!

[Former_Member]

what it means is simply For the next year while they rewrite and rethink how best to word the law what we each need to do is make sure our supplys have been tested and are compliant with the lead standards. for rith now you can if your items meet the standards got on producing and selling your goods.

[HappyBabyandBeyond]

Thanks bobbinalong for the link. It's a good start.

[Former_Member]

Matt started another thread in this fourumn and there is storque article.

[Former_Member]

Thank you that's what I thought it meant.