CPSIA - QUESTIONS We need to have answered - ONGOING

[#1]

I talked to my Congressman's office this morning. Below is the email I received back from him. It is addressed to all of us. I put the attachment at the bottom. Control + click on it to open it.

I had emailed him one of our threads earlier this morning. As this thread builds with your questions, I can email it to him.

His reply to me. ===================================

Judy,

See the attached request for comments recently issued by CPSC. This seems to be a major issue with regard to handmade products.

This is an opportunity for you – the stakeholders – to provide input to CPSC about how you believe CPSIA will impact you and your suggestions for clarifications and steps that could help ease the burden (specific to testing requirements for component parts).

If you can provide me with a list of specific questions you have I’m sure our office would be willing to communicate with CPSC in an effort to get accurate answers (although it seems that final decisions/interpretations and, therefore, complete information on this won’t be available until sometime after the comment period ends on Jan 30).

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/ComponentPartsComments.pdf

[bobbinalong]

I will let all of you know if and what I hear from Adam. Let's all have hope together. We will survive, I can feel it!

[Former_Member]

I just emailed Senator Kerry:

Senator Kerry,
I am writing in the hopes that this actually reaches your hands and eyes. The CPSC Reform Act that was passed and goes into effect in February, 2009 had a noble cause. I understand the need to protect children from harm, especially with all the products that are imported to our country every day.

However, the impact that it has on small businesses such as startup craft and clothing businesses is immense. Imagine a town or city craft fair that has vendors and craftspeople of every walk of life. Painters, potters, knitters, quilters, every table a new discovery. What this act has done is taken out every child's quilt, every small pair of knitted mittens, every handmade wooden toy. These are one of a kind items that cannot be sent to a lab to be tested. These are made by college students on weekends to raise money to pay their loans, and by mothers who want something meaningful to do besides their 9-5 job.

Retesting fabrics, yarns, beads, and other materials that have already been tested for lead and other hazardous chemicals may seem like our only option in the wake of recent lead and melamine scares. There must be some way to account for these small and medium time crafters and artists who simply don't have the thousands of dollars to pay for testing of every color scarf they make, or every wooden puzzle they think up.

Please look into this and see that small businesses will hurt and close down, further hurting our economy. I don't make children's products, I make beaded jewelry for adults, but if I don't speak up now, further legislation may be passed that hurts my chances of owning my own successful business someday.

Thank you for your time and service.

[bobbinalong]

Great letter, Appleoranges. Please let us all know if you receive a response. Good job!

[Former_Member]

Very well written!

[Former_Member]

Bobbin that you so much for this! Wonderful news from the Reps. office, just to be listened to - please let us know when you hear something else. :)

[Former_Member]

Thanks for this thread and all of the info.
bobbinalong, great letters, I look forward to hearing what your Rep. has to say.

[bobbinalong]

I will absolutely let you all know what I hear. I just hope that he can help us. He seems to be wanting to help us.

[RuthTillmanDesigns]

Please read this before you stress yourselves even more:

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5963341

[Former_Member]

Hey, anyone know if the politicians were aware of how important crafting of children's items (toys, blankets etc) were for helping families get through the Great Depression? It was a HUGE multistate WPA project!


http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5982250

maybe it's worth bringing up when you see your rep!

[Former_Member]

For some of us with serious health issues, working from home is our only option. If we are not allowed to sell our handmade items, how much do you think it will tax Welfare and Disability?

[Former_Member]

Needful,
without my craft sales, I'll need to apply for additional assistance.

[TheArtfulMommy]

I didn't even think of this affecting my shop since I've only been focusing on purses and trivets. I did make a pillowcase dress and planned on making more of them as well as baby quilts...well maybe not now huh? This is so frustrating.

[Former_Member]

I would like to know if regular, printed on paper, no-frills children's books will need to be tested.