House Commerce Committee Meeting re: CPSIA scheduled for January

[#1]

I just spoke to the CPSIA specialist in Diana DeGette's office (colorado 1st district) for almost an hour. She was one of the co-authors of the law. He said she never intended for this to happen and that the committee that authored this bill will be meeting at the beginning of Jan. He had no idea it affected so many people negatively...he was surprised and said that degette would be too. He asked if I would work with them...I gave some suggestions...hopefully She will take my story to the committee

I suggest that you contact your reps that are members of the house commerce committee regarding this issue since they'll be meeting soon...Tell them your story!

[Former_Member]

I can't get ANY of my Congresspeople to respond!!!!! *sob*

Half-tempted to drag my kids down to DC thru the rain and sleet and camp out in front of an office or two. "Sure, Sir, I'll take my monkeys out of your office just as soon as someone gives us the time of day!"

[Former_Member]

I am with you, a picket line of toys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Former_Member]

I saw a story on the news last night on this subject. The trouble is that they only concentrated on the price of store bought clothing going up with testing. They had a mother of 4 saying that she buys only from consignment shops, has only so much money and will simply buy less items to keep in line with what money she has to spend. No toys or handmade clothing was even mentioned. The only items for sell shots were of kids dept in Walmart, Target and the mall stores. This was Dallas News, not small town news.

[bobbinalong]

I am not surprised, Generations, that you are having trouble contacting Congressmen and women. January is inauguration month, the change of administration, not to mention the various things that Congress will need to look at right away. Things dealing with the economy, the housing foreclosure situation. There is just too much. My thoughts were for Congress to "freeze" this law for perhaps a year or two. Continue under the existing law as it is. Then, when they had time to devote to looking at it with a clear mind, begin changes. I don't know if they can do this. Perhaps in a year or two, they will have a better understanding of where the economy is headed.

[Former_Member]

Marking with fingers crossed.

[Former_Member]

zuzugirl
zuzugirl says:
I just hung up with a very reputable international trade & customs lawyer that happens to be a close family friend. Many of the things she told me contradict what I've read in the forums but she has more information than any of us do so I listened anyway.

In a nutshell this is what she said...
1. the fact that I "manufacture" goods is highly debatable. We actually debated. I buy manufactured products in craft stores and assemble them together. She thinks I'm excluded right there.

2. The CPSC has THIRTY inspectors to police this entire country. Yup, 30. They are pleading with Congress to provide more resources because they simply cannot enforce this act and the last thing these 30 people will be doing is coming after mom and pops. This law was drafted (poorly) for suppliers importing large containers of products likely to contain lead into the US.

3. Unless you wholesale or provide to distributors you do not need to "issue" a certificate with your product. Yes, if there is a claim against you (as a "manufacturer") you would need to supply proof that your components are lead free and you could get that from the craft store where you bought the goods. I KNOW. That's not what I've read a million places either. I'm just saying...

4. This law is in-flux daily. It is premature to shut down or over react.

She's an expert and I still question everything she told me because I'm so over-saturated with information....but I am going to take her advice and calm down. For what it's worth...

[worksofwhimsy]

I want to thank the OP for shining some light on what has been a gloomy topic of discussion for some time now.

[Former_Member]

Keeping an eye on this thread. Thanks for all the shared info so far.

[Former_Member]

Marking

[Former_Member]

keep up the great work everyone! We can beat this! Keep your heads up and keep fighting!

[HeatherJonesStudio]

zuzugirl
zuzugirl says:
I just hung up with a very reputable international trade & customs lawyer that happens to be a close family friend. Many of the things she told me contradict what I've read in the forums but she has more information than any of us do so I listened anyway.

In a nutshell this is what she said...
1. the fact that I "manufacture" goods is highly debatable. We actually debated. I buy manufactured products in craft stores and assemble them together. She thinks I'm excluded right there.

2. The CPSC has THIRTY inspectors to police this entire country. Yup, 30. They are pleading with Congress to provide more resources because they simply cannot enforce this act and the last thing these 30 people will be doing is coming after mom and pops. This law was drafted (poorly) for suppliers importing large containers of products likely to contain lead into the US.

3. Unless you wholesale or provide to distributors you do not need to "issue" a certificate with your product. Yes, if there is a claim against you (as a "manufacturer") you would need to supply proof that your components are lead free and you could get that from the craft store where you bought the goods. I KNOW. That's not what I've read a million places either. I'm just saying...

4. This law is in-flux daily. It is premature to shut down or over react.

She's an expert and I still question everything she told me because I'm so over-saturated with information....but I am going to take her advice and calm down. For what it's worth...

******

Very interesting!

[Former_Member]

mark

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I feel like mass hysteria has taken over common sense. I understand this could be a problem, but it isn't yet. I just don't think the government is going to let it go this far. And I don't think my customers who buy some of my child stuff (mainly treasure boxes) would stop patronizing me because of this law. I'm NOT quitting selling my product because of fear.

[Former_Member]

If I'd only been contacting my Congresspeople for the last week or three I might not be so discouraged, but I've been writing to them for many many weeks, before they packed up and went home.

Maybe it's not "premature" to "overreact," but if the law doesn't get amended and I'm stuck with 2-3 huge bags full of baby stuff I can't even GIVE away UNDYED, let alone sell for grocery money, then I'd feel kinda dumb not marking down my stuff to try to move it while I still can. The inertia quotient here is astonishing. There's an inauguration to get done in a couple weeks and I don't get the impression that this is on anyone's radar over and above that around here in the DC area.

[Former_Member]

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5984190

[inspiringcolor]

Here's the info on the official House website ... it's been postponed from 12/10 ... but that's a good sign and the topic is what everyone's worried about. I wonder who their witnesses will be!

http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=691&Itemid=65

[Former_Member]

I just LOOOOVE how "urgent" questions have been postponed to a DATE STILL TO BE DETERMINED - A MONTH LATER!!!!!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

[AbbysVinylWallArt]

Just got done doing that!

[MyHeartandSew]

Encouraging indeed!

[Former_Member]

The only reason this has become known to so many is because some folks are "over-reacting". It's the "mass hysteria" that is calling the CPSC and our Congressional Reps and making them aware of the problems in the legislation. That is why it will get changed.

[inspiringcolor]

Little voices en masse are heard.

[Former_Member]

GenerationsTieDye says:
I just LOOOOVE how "urgent" questions have been postponed to a DATE STILL TO BE DETERMINED - A MONTH LATER!!!!!

AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!


I know, right? I think I'm going to adopt the following mentality about all of this (and just about anything dealing with the government): think about what the most logical course of action would be, and then expect the government to head in the direct opposite direction.

[HipKidsTyeDye]

Oliveandolliw;

good information. My fear is not being busted by the feds, because to your point they don't have resources but being turned in by some over zealous watchdog group who has decided what people can and can't buy for their kids. And like your lawyer friend I have always disputed the fact I am a "manufacturer". I am an artisan, craftsperson. I create something that is one of a kind. I couldn't mass manufactur it if I tried.

Hope is good.

[Former_Member]

I guess I am not seeing where there is any confusion over whether we are manufacturers. In the traditional sense, I wouldn't call myself a "manufacturer." I've always referred to myself as more of a designer/craftsperson. But the Act defines a manufacturer as anyone who "manufactures, produces or assembles." Unfortunately, that's all that matters legally.

[Former_Member]

"The CPSC has THIRTY inspectors to police this entire country. Yup, 30. They are pleading with Congress to provide more resources because they simply cannot enforce this act and the last thing these 30 people will be doing is coming after mom and pops."

Who wants to be the first one to test the resources of the CPSC? I can't afford $100K. I can't afford jail time - I homeschool two kids. But sure as shooting, I'll be against the wall if I tempt fate, or so speaks my personal experience. :-/ Any other takers?