I'm pretty sure it was a case of "cut and paste". I sent him the letter from the handmade toy alliance, and I got a response about how they changed the ruling to include thrift stores :/
"Dear Mrs. Checkwood:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and its effect on secondhand retailers and other sectors of our economy. I appreciate hearing from you.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (P. L. 110-314) passed the Senate, with my support, and became law on August 14, 2008. This act was created to further strengthen product safety laws and protect children, but in doing so, it could potentially have a negative effect on our economy, specifically on our retail industry.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has recently released updated guidelines regarding this act and how it may affect secondhand retailers. The guidelines specifically state 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."
I have included a copy of the release for your convenience or you can find the release online at
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html. Secondhand retailers play a very important role in our economy, particularly during tough economic times. Child safety is paramount, and we all must endeavor to provide safe and reliable clothing and other products to children.
I will follow the implementation of this law to assure that compliance does not place any undue burden on retailers and families. If you have any further questions or need additional assistance please feel free to contact me.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance."
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I responded with this:
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Dear Senator Chambliss:
I appreciate that there have been updated guidelines regarding secondhand retailers (consignment stores and the like), yet that still doesn't protect the interest of the crafters of handmade toys and children's items. I make crocheted toys, using 100% cotton yarn, purchased from an American yarn company.. I stuff my toys with natural wool roving. My toys are made with love, and care... and I take their quality very seriously, as I have 3 small children of my own.
However, under the guidelines of this legislation, since the cotton yarn I use is dyed, It would require testing. Since I use dyed embroidery thread to give them a smile, it too would require testing... as well as the secure acrylic safety eyes I also use. I would no longer to be able to continue my business as the testing costs are far more than I can afford. I am a work at home mother, and the little bit of additional income this business gives me helps stretch my husband's teacher's salary.
Please read the following article from Forbes, that explains far more eloquently than I can what the ramifications of this law are for small crafters like me. We understand that this legislation's intent was to protect our children, and I fully agree that something needs to be done, but handcrafters like myself... who have an excellent track record of safety and quality, and were not the cause of the problem, will be forced to close our doors.
Thank you for your time.
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Sigh, well.... they're "half" listening...
