CPSIA....requirements for resale are clarified

[#1]

http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

[Former_Member]

This is great! We are making a difference with all of the noise we are causing! Keep on voting and sending letters.

[Former_Member]

<<fairiesnest
Books are still not exempt?>>>

Nope. The American Library Association is MAD. In a polite librarian kind of way. They're one of the few groups that managed to fight the patriot act and win.
Here's the quote on what they're doing so far:
http://fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com/

The impact on libraries started getting heavily pushed on blogs & mailing lists Saturday or Sunday. And already the ALA is on it. They will totally CRUSH this. Do not anger ladies with superior organizational and research skills and a stare that can kill at 50 paces.

[Former_Member]

I checked the ALA site today and saw nothing, which surprised me. I'm glad to hear it's on their radar! So... are books even likely to have lead or phthalates (sp)? How? I use vintage children's book illustrations for nearly everything I make - the books were originally for children but my items aren't geared towards them. I'm having a really hard time understanding

a) if I'm in compliance
b) if I'll be able to find any of my favorite supplies after 2/19

The link from the OP gives me hope, but also makes me even more confused! *sigh*

[ThePlayfulNeedle]

I'm still confused -- so you can sell something used, but only if it's been tested? If so, that's still not good news for all those currently well-stocked thrifts and consignments out there, or the people who rely on them for good prices.

[fuzzyjewels]

phthalates is used for plastics and lead is used in metal, paints. I'm not sure about plastics. I don't see how books would contain either.

[TheFairiesNest]

Do not anger ladies with superior organizational and research skills and a stare that can kill at 50 paces.

Thanks! As a former librarian I LOVE that!

[TheFairiesNest]

fenrislorsrai , can I quote you?

[Former_Member]

Some books pre-1978 MAY contain lead, IF they have hand tinted tipped-in illustrations. Lead was still used in artist grade paints. Now, those types of illustrations are A) rare B) Expensive C)generally not intended for children D) old. There aren't a lot of those around.

The tiny amount of lead used in those is so low as to be of no concern. If you can even FIND them in some kind of affordable price range to be used in crafts. If the book is intact, expect to spend BIG BUCKS. Your kid is getting way more exposure to lead through your drinking water or exposure to dirt. (yes, dirt)

The only case of lead contamination related to modern kids books actually doesn't involve the BOOK. If you've ever seen those "Magic X" books that come with a necklace, one of those was recalled due to lead content in the necklace. No problem with the book, just the necklace stuck to it.

I am all for having the trinkets and doodads that are stuck to books as extras (necklaces, googly eyes, foil shinies, sound bars, etc) tested for lead and pthlates. Those actually have a chance of containing those AND if detached can be a chocking hazard. Since those interactive books are largely aimed at wee little ones, it also makes sense that they may well end up in little mouths.

Unstuffed cloth books should skate by the regulation, those plastic tub books should be tested for pthalates.

I know some people are said to have an appetite for books, but a standard paper book itself should not hurt you. Fiber is good for you!

[Former_Member]

fairiesnest
fairiesnest says:
Do not anger ladies with superior organizational and research skills and a stare that can kill at 50 paces.

Thanks! As a former librarian I LOVE that!
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My mom is a retired librarian! I think she'll get a kick out of this.

[Former_Member]

Sure, go ahead and quote me. You may like this quote:

"Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it."
-Mark Twain

Good ol' Mark Twain...

[Former_Member]

awesome! that's really a relief!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the update. I've been moving away from children's clothing for a few months for that very reason. Mostly I now write eBooks so that others can make their own children's garments, if they like my designs. Nina of mamas*little*treasures

[MelanderDesigns]

Lost of confusion about this.

A retailer is a reseller if they sell USED products.

Not all retailers are resellers.

If you buy vintage or used products to make a NEW product, you still have to test.

Most Etsians will still have to comply.

I am melanes on Twitter.

[Former_Member]

Shew! Thank goodness that thrift and consignment stores are not affected...what would I do when I need a breather!

[Former_Member]

I guess I don't really see how this clarification changes anything:
"However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, ***unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit.*** Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties. "

So they shouldn't sell items that haven't been tested unless they have some other information to indicate the products being sold have less lead than the new limit.

What 'other information' would that be? How else would they *know* (to the government's satisfaction) that their resale items have less than the new limit?

[Former_Member]

I rhink the mean to look at the list of recalled toys and clothing before selling.

[HipViolet]

Hm... I think I'll wash my bibs a few times and sell them as "used" ;)

Actually one of my biggest wholesale buyers is a consignment store so I'm thrilled she'll still be in business!

[Former_Member]

Yeah.

[Former_Member]

This is a very interesting series of videos I encourage everyone to watch and pass on to anyone you think may be interested. This gentleman puts the overreaching, and possibly devastating effect of this law into a perspective anyone can understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlY6zOMPqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlMh7MJiodY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk0Vr0yDrXc

[Former_Member]

Marking

[Lavender2Lace]

I agree with Deputy--

They have worded it to make it sound softer, but the end statement remains the same, that resellers must comply and have to know what the contents of their products is.

And how else are they to know, if there is nothing from the original manufacturer?

Testing, of course.

I see no changes at all, just different wording.

[Former_Member]

DeputyHeadmistress
DeputyHeadmistress says:
I guess I don't really see how this clarification changes anything:
"However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, ***unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit.*** Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties. "

So they shouldn't sell items that haven't been tested unless they have some other information to indicate the products being sold have less lead than the new limit.

What 'other information' would that be? How else would they *know* (to the government's satisfaction) that their resale items have less than the new limit?
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A lot of things by their nature really aren't inclined to have lead in them. Before those things were required to be tested under the CPSIA. Now they're saying that testing isn't required.

[Former_Member]

Enchanted cupboard, I don't read this clarification as meaning that resale shops have to check the recall list before selling. For one thing, that was already the law.

For another, they have a separate paragraph addressing recalled products separately for the issue that while they don't have to have certificates, they can't sell any items produced before Feb. 10th, unless they either have a certificate or have some other information indicating that item has less lead than the new limits.

That section is NOT just saying 'don't sell recalled items.' I suspect any lawyer is going to tell them that it would be simplest just to get rid of pre Feb. inventory of children's products, or relabel them as 'collectables, for adult use only.'

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

i'm with those who say this isn't much different. I figured consignors could sell items that would meet the new lead limits. What's new about that?

I have a bunch of kids clothes waiting to go to consignment from the past couple of years, how will the consignor KNOW that these clothes and toys are under the new lead limit. I don't manufactures will go and test their old lines.

Please correct my line of thinking, but I don't see much difference. I think they put this out b/c somehow thrift store thought they would HAVE to test their items, too. But no, since they are not manufacturers they don't HAVE to test, but they still CANNOT sell items that don't have proof of the new lead limits.