Finally! CPSIA on NPR

[Former_Member]

There was a CPSIA segment on Marketplace on NPR tonight. I didn't hear it - husband did. Said they talked bout Etsy and the stay. Trying to download podcast right now.

Now I believe the only national media outlet to NOT do a story on the CPSIA is the NY Times.

[ThePolkaDotTotSpot]

Ooooow, let us know if you find a link somewhere!

[littlegirlPearl]

Yeah for NPR. I was on a local NPR show a couple weeks ago. So glad that national finally picked up on it. I'll download later tonight. Thanks for the info Kiki.

[Former_Member]

Link for the podcasT?? Need to hear it...

[curbsidetreasure]

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/02/pm_toys_q/

found it!

[Former_Member]

Hey I just read on the CPSC website that there has been a stay on certification for one year while they work out all the kinks of the law...and from the sounds of the notice it looks like crafters, artisans, and homemade producers were heard and made a big impact!

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

[Former_Member]

marking because i have to go to a soccer meeting. :)

[Former_Member]

awesome.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the link curbside!
I have written NPR more times than I can count so I'm so glad they finally picked it up! Anyone hear it?

[Former_Member]

I heard that radio show today. It made me love NPR even more than I did...

[Former_Member]

A Great "Listen"... Thanks much for the link!

[Former_Member]

i heard a bit of this tonight.. was excited to hear etsy mentioned, and to just hear their take on it.

[Former_Member]

i heard it this morning and was very excited!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the link. I have mixed feelings about the story. I hope they go into deeper detail about natural toy makers and the US industry that supports US jobs instead of Matel who took jobs out of the US and off to China where the toxic toys come from in the first place.

[Former_Member]

That Pickle just made my day!!...lol...

[SmileMoon]

Thanks for bringing this up!

[Former_Member]

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/02/02/pm_toys_q/

Here is the text.
I was extremely disappointed. It got a whole bunch of things wrong (we don't actually ahve another year to comply, we just don't have to be certified, this covers more than toys, this is not the fault of the Bush administration OR the CSPC and the CSPC cannot fix it alone)

They treated it like a trifle instead of the calamity waiting to happen that it really is.
Please help us get a REAL story - post your comments after the article.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I found it quite insulting.

[Former_Member]

I thought it was very misleading and it totally downplayed the real issues. It was all about toys, when the CPSIA isn't just about toys it's about EVERYTHING for kids under 12.

[Former_Member]

I have been lurking for a long time, but feel I must speak up now. This story was almost insulting in its narrow focus. Our local paper in CT did a similar special interest story last week, making it seem only a problem for niche toy makers. While it is great that an issue so important did get NPR coverage, they missed the seriousness & range of impact. Which I was *brave* enough to post my feelings about there, too.

And while I'm here, Thank You to all of you posting on CPSIA - it has helped tremendously to feel part of this community & to glean more facts, as we know them!

[Former_Member]

marking to read later.

[julianne]

Same here. They did a story, but only mentioned ONE lady that makes kiddy bows. Made audience feel sorry for the ONE lady, but failed to mention any other portions of this law and how it will effect everyone.

I'd love for someone to design a really simple flyer that we could all print that covers (in laymans terms) all the issues of this law and how it will harm everyone.

I got a letter from my rep today. I'll try to get it posted after I get back from town. Gotta get some groceries.

The letter seemed to emphasize the need to protect children (and the toy issue) and "talk down" to me regarding the concerns that have been overwhelming about the law.

I'd like some input before I draft a response.

I'll try to get posted tonight.

thanks for your continued efforts to make this law right before they start cracking down on individual artisans.

[Former_Member]

I was disappointed too. Normally I love Marketplace.

This is what I sent them:

------
In regards to your Feb. 2nd story "Commission delays lead testing in toys":

While I was glad to hear the negative effects of the CPSIA finally get some national air-time, I was saddened at the flippant tone of the segment. Don't get me wrong, I love a yodeling pickle as much as the next guy, but this is a very real and very serious issue that effects not just toymakers, but anyone who makes or sells anything that can be perceived as a childrens product.

I am the co-chairperson of the Richmond Craft Mafia, a local craft business networking group. Under this law, of our 16 members, 3 would have to cut all children's items from their product line and 2 would be put out of business entirely because all they make are children's items. One member crunched the numbers and discovered that since each batch must be tested and she currently works in batches of 6, she would have to charge $162.50 per bib to cover the cost of testing.

This law, as written, would not only decimate the US children's product industry, but it would have a devastating impact on libraries, bookshops, small retailers, thrift stores and charities.

There is a video on the CPSC website of a meeting in which the American Association of Publishers spends 2 hours patiently explaining to the CPSC that there is no lead in books. Watch it and I think you'll agree, this law is stranger and more ludicrous than any yodeling pickle ever could be.

Erica Vess
http://ericavess.com

Co-Chairperson, Richmond Craft Mafia
http://richmondcraftmafia.com

[Former_Member]

I found the NPR segment disappointing, too. They simply couldn't seem to grasp that the fault is with Congress.

Erica, I like your letter.

[Former_Member]

I wanna go buy that yodeling pickle!!