CPSIA Protest Idea

[Former_Member]

OK, this is just a pipe dream, but what if we all took some handmade children's item and mailed it to the office of, say, Rep. Bobby Rush (chair of the committee on Energy and Commerce). Each item would have a label that said:

On Feb. 10, 2009 this item will turn into a
[really big font]HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE[end really big font]
Don't let this happen, modify CPSIA now!

Just think if he had to step over all these cute handmade things staring him in the face!

[Former_Member]

I think that is a great way to put this whole thing in to perspective for the recipient! I'm not currently selling children's items, but I am a huge supporter!

[Former_Member]

Can we start bootlegging children's items? :)

[StebbyLeeStudio]

I'll send a sacrificial hatz.

[CogansCreations]

I think that's a good idea....I'll send one of my *hazardous* teddy bears!

[Former_Member]

Here is the address of his Washington office (this is from his official website so I presume he intends it to be public knowledge):

Rep. Bobby Rush
2416 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Let's make sure we don't put "Hazardous Substance" on the outside of the box, or else they'll have to call in the bomb squad or something.

Suggested text for enclosed letter:
On Feb. 10, 2009 this item will turn into a
[really big font]HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE[end really big font]
Don't let this happen!

I am a crafter [or artisan; I don't want to reopen that debate] who makes and sells one of a kind items for children. It is financially and physically impossible for me to do all the lead testing that the CPSIA requires. Since all my products will legally be classified as "hazardous substances" on Feb. 10, 2009, I am sending one as a gift to you. How else am I going to get rid of it, if it will be a felony to sell it? Hopefully you can find something to do with it before Feb. 10 too, so that you don't have to call in the hazmat team to take it away.

Of course, Rep. Rush, if your committee would reconsider the interpretation of the CPSIA, I might not have to go out of business...

Sincerely,
[your name]

[Former_Member]

Great idea. I'll give it a bump. My husband's comment on the law was "written by someone who has obviously never made anything"

[HeatherJonesStudio]

Sounds like a good idea to me, too. :)

[Faeorain]

Heck...I don't even make kids stuff, but I would be willing to come up with something just so I can join in!

[Former_Member]

Good morning! Who wants to join the protest?

[Former_Member]

i slept on this one last night, and had another more cost effective thought as i was falling asleep. what if we all sent boxes that are empty except for a photo of "what might have been"?

that way we aren't losing inventory and shipping will be cheaper.


THEN, if it isn't fixed i think we really SHOULD flood him/others with the products themselves when they all become too dangerous to sell on 2/10/09.


:D

[Former_Member]

That sounds really good, blynkenandnod! I still like the idea of making him figure out what to do with it, but if you can't spare an item, send a picture in an empty box with a letter letting him know that this item is soon going to be a felony to sell.

[SkyviewClay]

I love BOTH ideas!!!

[Former_Member]

Suggested text for sending an empty box:

Everyone loves getting a gift at Christmas [or holiday] time! Guess what I got for Christmas? A law that says that on February 10, 2009, it's going to be a felony to sell this [name of item]. Yes, at the stroke of midnight on that day, this cute, cuddly, [list appropriate adjectives here] [name of item] is going to turn not into a pumpkin, but into a piece of "hazardous material!" You see, it's financially and practically impossible for me to test each and every one of my one of a kind products for lead to comply with the CPSIA. So I'm going to have to go out of business, which is too bad because the money I make selling these supports [my family, my autistic kid's therapy, whatever is applicable].

So what do you and the American public get for Christmas? Well, I know what they're NOT getting next year... one of these. Thanks to you, our kids are now safe from handmade [plural name of item]!

Sincerely,
[your name]

[KreatedbyKelly]

Faeorain says:
Heck...I don't even make kids stuff, but I would be willing to come up with something just so I can join in!

-----------
That made me smile! I think it is a good idea for sure. Takes some guts, but totally a good idea.

[germandolls]

We could also send him some supplies - buttons, scraps of fabric, thread - and ask him to please test them for us - since we cannot afford it!

[SkyviewClay]

perfect!


curious...I was following your post the other day regarding testing labs. Were those quotes based on one color of yarn only? Yesterday, when I talked to the guy form Congress Wittman's office, he seemed to think that one bottle of my paints would need testing, not all of the colors. IF that is the case, the testing may not be too costly. But, I also got the feeling that I knew more about this issue than he did! He is going to check into it and call me back.

[Former_Member]

If Congressman Wittman thinks that's how the CPSC is going to interpret it, he needs to go take a look at their website or talk to them, because the CPSC has been clear that component testing is off the table.

The quotes were for testing an entire, complete bootie (one lab said they'd need the pair of booties).

[Former_Member]

Curious - I think this is an AWESOME idea! Maybe you could ask people to say whether or not they are going to do this? (not just if they think it's a good idea)

I am going to send a dress to Rep. Rush today! I think sending an actual product, if you can afford it, will make a real impact. Then they will be looking at a cute teddy bear, dress, booties, whatever, and not want to throw it out. It will stare at them. A picture is easier to discard, but I understand not everyone has the inventory to spare.

I love you text too. Do you mind if we use it? I'm going to write it on a handmade card - nice and cutesy.

[Former_Member]

Sure, I don't mind if you use my text! I'm sure my mom would say it's too snarky and that I'd catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, but I think it's too easy for those who don't care to blow off polite people.

[SkyviewClay]

Yea, that's pretty much what I told him, too.

You know what I just noticed. The top of the CPSC FAQs page reads...

These FAQs are unofficial descriptions and interpretations of various features of CPSIA and do not replace or supersede the statutory requirements of the new legislation. These FAQs were prepared by CPSC staff, have not been reviewed or approved by, and may not necessarily reflect the views of, the Commission. Some FAQs may be subject to change based on Commission action.

It's that special????? Are they just going to tweek the facts as they go along? But, hey, if they tweek them in the right direction, that will be OK!

[Former_Member]

PoshDots, basically what happens is that Congress passes the law and it's up to the CPSC to interpret how to actually enforce it. Within some limits they're allowed to make judgment calls. Sometimes they consult Congress to ask what they really meant by this clause or that phrase. This is a new law and there's no established practice how to make it happen.

[SkyviewClay]

Well, curiousworkmanship...if they expect us to comply to these new laws so quilcky, shouldn't they have a plan in place? LOL! :)

[EclecticPixie]

Sounds like a good idea!

[chatnoirstudios]

it would be nice if they thought things through for a change. I like this idea.