Does CPSIA apply to books?

[Former_Member]

It seems silly that the law would apply to books as well, but does it?

Also, if I self-publish books with a site like LuLu.com, are they responsible for the testing and not me, since they would be the ones printing the book?

I'd so appreciate any thoughts here. :)


Thanks,
Stephanie Lynn

[RebeccasSoapDeli]

Yes.

[Former_Member]

anyone?

[Former_Member]

sillyness

[meredithdillman]

There's not a whole lot of info around on print on demand books yet. I did find this thread mentioning it at lulu forums. Hopefully they will move to exempt books that don't have plastic covers etc soon.

http://www.lulu.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=105286

Likewise Cafepress and Zazzle are pretty close lipped about this.

[thetrendytot]

Sadly, yes. It's actually a big issue for public libraries b/c lending a book is considered "commerce" and under this law, they would have to have all books lead and pthlalate tested. Yeah, it't THAT crazy!

The Boston Phoenix did an interesting article on it.

[meredithdillman]

There is also some relevant information here (at top):

http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=FAQs4

From what I've read several places ink is exempted if it is bonded with the paper. Therefore you would have to test the paper.

If you have ever had a book printed you know it makes no sense to test the end product. Small runs of books are very expensive. You get the best prices per book printing 1000+ but who is going to risk that expense + testing to find out they have to throw the books out? That would lead to the death of self-publishing as well as publishers taking any chances on new authors.

It would make more sense for the printing company to certify the papers/inks they use.

Publishers and libraries are fighting this, so hopefully they come to their senses and allow component testing or exempt books.

Otherwise I think we will have to wait and see what the print-on-demand companies do.

[Former_Member]

The ALA is all over it though, stay tuned.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for your responses! I can't believe how crazy this whole thing is. Hopefully, they work to revise this soon.

[Former_Member]

yeah, as of right now. but i'm with those who expect to see an exemption any minute..

talk about bad press.


haha.. that was funny. no pun intended.

[Former_Member]

Here's the latest from the ALA site. They are requesting libraries to be exempt, but nothing about books in general.

http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2009/january2009/wocpsc.cfm

It really shows how ill-thought out this law was. I like this sentence in particular:

“If the commission does not correct their ruling to include library books under the regulation of the Consumer Product Safety Act, communities and schools across the country are going to be shocked and outraged on February 10,” Sheketoff said.

[Former_Member]

I made this treasury today on this subject

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38379