Letter from my congressman

[Former_Member]

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. I appreciate hearing from you.

As you know, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 became law on August 14, 2008 and bans children's products containing more than specified allowed amounts of lead. This bill authorized treating products as banned hazardous substances if they exceed these amounts, and required periodic review of allowable lead limits. Sellers of used children's toys and clothes, while having to comply with the lead limits, will not be required to certify compliance with this new rule or test products already in inventory.

Protecting the health of our children is perhaps our most important responsibility. However, we must always ensure that regulations implemented by the federal government are consistent with the intent of Congress and are not overly burdensome for small businesses. For more information on guidance issued with regards to this law, please visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission at http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html or please call one of my offices in Maine if you have specific questions about compliance.

Please know that I will keep your thoughtful comments in mind as any relevant legislation is considered before the House of Representatives in the 111th Congress.

Thank you again for sharing your views with me. In addition, I also provide occasional email updates on a range of issues affecting people in Maine. If you would like to receive this information, please visit my website at http://michaud.house.gov/email_newsletter.asp and sign up for my email newsletter. I appreciate the opportunity to represent you.


With warmest regards,

Michael H. Michaud

Member of Congress


This part gives me hope:
"we must always ensure that regulations implemented by the federal government are consistent with the intent of Congress and are not overly burdensome for small businesses"

[Former_Member]

Thank you for posting that!

[Former_Member]

first time I've seen someone from congress reply - thanks for sharing! Hope more of them feel the same way.

[Former_Member]

My Congressmen finally replied to my letter to him as well. Very short but I'm just happy he didn't send through a form letter about another subject as some others did to other peoples letters. Hopefully he really read my letter, which I think he might of, and WILL keep my words in mind (((((praying)))):

Dear Jennifer:

I wanted to drop you a note to let you know I received your message regarding the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Thank you for contacting me about this issue. As you know, H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Reform Act, became law earlier this year to require testing of consumer products for children under the age of 12 by an independent third party agency.

As Congress begins the 111th session, please be assured I will continue to follow this issue with your views in mind.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of further assistance.



Sincerely,

Jerry F. Costello
Member of Congress

[Former_Member]

Scire4. Mike Michaud is my Congressman, too. I've written to him, but haven't gotten a reply yet. It sounds as if he realizes the law might be throwing out the baby with the bathwater. I sure hope something can be done in Congress.

Thanks for giving us a ray of hope. Now if they'll let H.R. 450 see the light of day...... but that would be too much to hope for!

[Former_Member]

He is the only one that was kind enough to respond. I am still waiting to hear from the other two.

[tiddlyinks]

This is from mine
Thank you for contacting me. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your views.

You mentioned your opposition to H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. As you know, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) was signed into law earlier this year. It (1) increases funding for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and strengthens the Commission's testing regime; (2) requires the CPSC to maintain a publicly available website with information on imported goods from the Commission, as well as comments from the manufacturers, retailers and labelers; and (3) increases the lead standard for children. The law also specifically prohibits manufacturers from stockpiling products prior to the February 10, 2009 deadline.

I understand your concerns with the broad scope of this bill. I am proud to note that not only did I support this bill, but that I was also an original cosponsor. However, as a conservative, I worked hard to make sure the bill enables the Food and Drug Administration to push forward with a moderate and efficient response to the problems our country may face in this era of increased trade and globalization.

The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children's products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. However, it is important to note that sellers of used children's products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. 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, potentially criminal, penalties. These rules apply to resellers, rather than sellers of used children's projects.

When the CPSIA was signed into law on August 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC Web site (www.cpsc.gov) for information on recalled products before taking into inventory or selling a product. The selling of recalled products also could carry civil and/or criminal penalties.

The agency has underway a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements. Please visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov for more information.

[softandscrubby]

The law also specifically prohibits manufacturers from stockpiling products prior to the February 10, 2009 deadline.
______________________

Um, where'd that come from. I have a years worth of inventory.