How does this affect those who don't sell children's items?

[Former_Member]

I've read a few times now that this will also affect those who don't sell children's products. Does anyone know in what ways?

[boygirlboygirldesign]

Well the childrens product sellers wont use any of there income to buy other items from other etsy sellers. Also libraries will no longer have childrens books in them. Your tax dollars will go towards purchasing new books for school libraries and supplies. People that depend on thrift stores to purchase items for their children will no longer have that option. Landfills will fill up with childrens items that can not be tested. Just to name a few off the top of my head.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the input. I understand that a lot of things will be affected. However, my question was more about whether or not other items will need to meet certain criteria before they can be sold.

[chichiboulie]

Anything that could be geared towards a person 12 years and under is impacted. So your scarf in your shop for example... that could be included. After all, it's a perfectly lovely scarf for a 12 year old girl.

[acorngirl]

I buy yarns and fabric and other supplies from people here on Etsy and use them to make dolls and toys.

No more dolls = me not buying the supplies from people here. Plus I will have far less $$ to spend on all the other incredible stuff people sell here. Less to spend on gas and food, too. :(

[acorngirl]

GoldenTwine says:
Thanks for the input. I understand that a lot of things will be affected. However, my question was more about whether or not other items will need to meet certain criteria before they can be sold.
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Only if those enforcing the law think your items appeal to 12 and under.

[EyePopArt]

"libraries will no longer have childrens books in them."

Are you serious?

[Former_Member]

GoldenTwine you are such a brave soul for asking this question.

I am sure everything will be solved, and the world will not come to an end.

[chichiboulie]

EyePopArt -

http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

[Former_Member]

It's so hard to believe that library books would even be affected!!
Thanks for everyone's replies. I was understanding it to mean anything that could be geared to someone under 12 but then others said it would not affect shops other than those that sell children's items so I was looking for some clarity.

[EyePopArt]

Oh my gosh, I just can't even believe it.

[acorngirl]

I looked at your shop- Lovely! And my personal opinion, (for what it's worth) is that you do not look like a kid's seller. I very much doubt you would have any problems at all. :)

[Former_Member]

Like the NRA, massive lobbying by big groups will get this crazy thing amended.


I belive it to be. No one is going to allow children's books to disapear from librarlies.

BTW, The is a great deal more toxic lead in the inks used to print books, coming out of certain countries. (Not USA or Europe). When I used to get my illustrations published internationally, I was continually amazed as the brillience of colors in some publications...and my magazine publisher told me this fact back in the 1980s.

[meredithdillman]

Cost of your supplies will go up with less people purchasing them.

Cost of all children's goods in stores will go up + less selection.

[Former_Member]

Perhaps this is a stupid question. But in all of our listings, what if you put in a sentence that says something like "This product was not assembled for, nor is marketed toward children under 13."

It's like after the people who won big awards for being scalded by hot drinks - now vendors say on the cup "Beware, contents extremely hot".

Geeze things can get a little crazy here. There are MANY items that could easily be used by and adult - or an 11, 12 year old.

This is nuts.

[JoyandWhimsy]

Actually, libraries will most likey keep having children's books but maybe not sales. The top posting here is ez to read and understand while going into the depth of it all:
http://www.bohemianflophouse.blogspot.com/

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Thanks for that blog. Puts it all together in a very easy to read and understand manner.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for posting that blog. Very well stated.

[Former_Member]

well you wouldn't have to target an item for children, it's my understanding that if someone (who knows who gets to say) decides that a kid might use your thing it would fall under the parameters as well and I don't think the "not intended for children" clause will necessarily work

[Former_Member]

The thing about the libraries is the ink used in the books, it might contains lead. Also the dyes that people used to dyed yarns are said to have lead. I know that my store knitspin.etsy.com will not be adding more dyed yarns or rovings until this law is resolved. I can sell natural fiber and yarns but the ones that are hand dyed by me. I won't exposed my self to this new law and get caught in their little battle to be provoke by it. I will hold on for dear life, until this is resolved and I'm able to list them again.

The same thing with my jbsoaps.etsy.com. I can't embed any toys in the soaps because it made containt lead in the toys. So I will re-think my way of making childrens soaps.

[Former_Member]

JB....same here. I'm not sure what to do! I am just kind of taking the attiude..."wake me up when its over" kind of thing!

[BoulevardDesigns]

About libraries, here's what the ALA (American Library Association) has to say: "Since the General Counsel’s opinion is retroactive, all books currently on library or store shelves must be removed for testing, including textbooks and children’s literature books in academic library research collections." http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

Also, the LAW defines a children's item basically as an item that most people would say is for children. Further, Cheryl Falvey (GC for CPSP), in talking about books, said that books that would be appropriate for both children and adults would NOT fall under the law, because they are not intended primarily for children. One could assume that this logic would apply to other items, as well.

But putting a disclaimer on an item "not intended for children 12 and under" would only work if, in fact, the item really IS NOT for children 12 and under, and if the average person would agree that it's not for children.

[JoyandWhimsy]

Thank you all for your compliments on the article and thanks BoulevardDesigns for that link. I used to write kids book copy for ALA so am very familiar with that librarian organization. I've added that article link to my blog mentioned before --
http://bohemianflophouse.blogspot.com/
Even among librarians there is a lot of debate and confusion but ironically, the libraries calling out this problem may help all of us because the government, with all its $$$ problems, isn't going to want to shell out billions to test kiddie books that from what I know, probably never caused lead poisoning.

[MEWOriginalArt]

How on earth can the law decide what items a child under 12 will or won't come into contact with? What if a child tries on his/her mother's shirt and it hasn't been tested? This is SO ridiculous.

[JoyandWhimsy]

Right-on Sewinggeek, look at housewares like pillows that are made in China and often are beaded - children are always on couches, leaning on pillows like that.