is etsy doing enough about the CPSIA?

[aadyabazaar]

There is so much confusion and conflicting information here and everywhere about the CPSIA. Its causing a lot of etsy shops to shut down and real heartache. Surely etsy makes enough money on these products to hire a lawyer to figure out exactly what is involve here and to lobby for appropriate changes if it is as bad as it seems.
Help us out! There is very little real info from admin. Does EVERYTHING for people under 12 really need testing? Is anything exempt? Can we sell current stock after Feb 10? If our materials are certified will the end product need certification? etc.

[bobbinalong]

I will add one more question? How do we, as Etsy shopowners, know if we are selling to a 11-year old or a 12-year old? I do not sell t-shirts but if I did, and I had a customer wanting to purchase one for their 10-year old who was large for his size, what in the world does that mean? Am I not allowed to purchase a certain size? It makes no sense.

[Former_Member]

I was just discussing this with my business advisor last night (yes, my hubby!). He advised me to call my representative to discuss this with him, ask him what does he plan on doing about it and ask him the restrictios at that 12-year-old thing.

Since we are independant sellers, I don't think Etsy is liable for us...we need to be proactive as sellers, learn asmuch about this as possible and then take some action.

[woolies]

one great resourse is the handmade toy alliance - keeping me informed, and they are very pro active.

http://handmadetoyalliance.org

[Former_Member]

today I'm going to research the addresses of all the companies I buy "store bought" supplies from, and inform them that I can't use those supplies any more if I want to sell things for children, and that they maybe should be stepping into the fight to lobby for a stall on the legistlation until the small business person like me can be either excluded, sign a waiver, whatever.

So yarn and beads off their labels, jo-ann fabrics, michael's, off their website, and anyone else I can think of.

[aadyabazaar]

we, at least i pay etsy a lot of money. they make plenty from those of us that produce childrens items. with what they make from us they can afford to hire a lawyer, we cannot. i think that it most certainly is their role. do they not work for us?

[Former_Member]

It is NOT etsy's problem to hire a lawyer or lobby for changes. That is up to you.If you get caught selling without the certificates, you will be the one to get hit with the penalties.
Right now, yes everything destined to be used by children under 12 will have to be tested. I have read that each batch,each color will have to be tested and the testing destroys the item.Each testing can cost 150.00 or more. Those are just a few reasons that people are closing their shops selling children's items.
Right now there is no exemptions, and yes this goes into effect in February-No you cannot sell your inventory after February.
Search for other threads on CPSIA. There are several with the exact language of the law. Read it and then contact your Senators and Representatives.
Gee,thanks Mr.Bush-you can thank him for almost every financial woe of the US.


Colleen Mills

[aadyabazaar]

i agree entirely that all of us affected have a responsibility to do what we can and inform ourselves. i've spent a lot of time researching this and have found a lot of conflicting information.

[Former_Member]

CSEmbroidery is right.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Don't blame Pres. Bush for this law. Yes, he signed it, he couldn't veto it, his veto would have been overturned. Only 4 or 5 total in both houses voted against it. THANK your Senators, and Congressmen!! And really give praise to the 4-5 who voted against it, they are probably the only ones who read it!!

[Former_Member]

bronwenhandcrafted says:
Does EVERYTHING for people under 12 really need testing?

Yes.

Is anything exempt?

At this point, no, though they are voting on whether certain all-natural materials will be exempt on Monday Jan 5. The list includes some gemstones, undyed untreated cotton and wool, untreated wood.

Can we sell current stock after Feb 10?

You can sell your current stock IF you get it tested. At least until August, you can test with an XRF machine, which is much cheaper and does not destroy the product. You can read about this option at http://thesmartmama.com
She is a lawyer who has already dissected the law - you can read all her opinions on her blog. She is on our side.

If our materials are certified will the end product need certification?

At this point, yes. Although they have asked for comments about the possibility of componamt testing, so they are looking at it as a possibility. They are taking comments until Jan 30 here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/ComponentPartsComments.pdf
Please add your opinions and write to them!
Hope this helps.

[Former_Member]

FayeMaloneDesigns says:
Don't blame Pres. Bush for this law. Yes, he signed it, he couldn't veto it, his veto would have been overturned. Only 4 or 5 total in both houses voted against it. THANK your Senators, and Congressmen!! And really give praise to the 4-5 who voted against it, they are probably the only ones who read it!!
-------------------
yup...we can thank our senators and congressmen.

[Dannielle]

I don't think there's anything more Etsy could do. The CPSC hasn't even figured out exactly how they plan to regulate the law and what they'll consider exempt.

[bobbinalong]

However . . . since President Bush appointed Nancy Nord to head the CPSC and complete an open term, and since she doesn't want to come forth on TV or in the newspapers, at least the ones I've seen, well, then, yes, I do, put some of the blame on President Bush.

[Former_Member]

CSEmbroideryandGifts says:
....Gee,thanks Mr.Bush-you can thank him for almost every financial woe of the US

*********************
You can't blame President Bush. This law was written by a Democrat and passed overwhelmingly by a Democrat-controlled Congress (while the Republicans rolled over). Makes as much sense as the light bulb legislation they passed, too.

I'm so glad they're protecting me from myself...

[rabbitwhiskers]

I think this is the most ridiculous law ever! It has the potential of doing at least as much harm to some people as it alleges could happen to those it is trying to protect. I understand the lead issue and I think it's very important, but the "all or nothing" restrictions are unfair and unfounded.

Look at all of the potentially "hazardous" foods in the market. They haven't had to stop manufacturing & selling those.

We who do the purchasing are for the most part, adults. Where is our freedom of choice? If it's necessary, put the information out there, (as they've done with food,) and let us make our own choices.

And what about our freedom to work and support ourselves? That too, is now under govt. control?-----I could go on and on I'm so upset about this. I'll use my own control & stop at this point

[bobbinalong]

And so, if you can believe any of what you read on the internet, then the trips taken by Nancy Nord provided by the big toy manufacturers, then they are okay? And the fact that Nancy Pelosi has tried to oust Nord is a bad move?

[Former_Member]

I don't think Etsy is profitable enough to take on such a large legal move - remember that as of last xmas they weren't yet profitable as a company. So this year may have changed but I doubt we're talking mega-bucks after all operating costs and presuming repayment on the large amounts of investment capital they've been given. To take on a lobbying role, in a legal way, is probably too much.

Etsy has done what they probably can - dispensed information in the forums and tried to give sellers links to relevent sites to pursue things further, in the Storque.

[Former_Member]

I have similar thoughts on the matter. As a large portion of my Etsy spending has been for my 3 year old son. Without these items being available for me to buy my Etsy spending will drop by about 75%. Most of my impulse buying is for him.
I would imagine that I am in the majority and poor Etsy will feel this in their wallets for sure.
All the record spending this holiday season will probably never be seen again without items for children.
I have to say that it just sucks. I shop handmade for children because I do not trust the tests that "they" have had in place for commercial children products thus far.
I will be searching the black market for his future gifts.

[Former_Member]

I was not aware of this new law until I started reading about it on ETSY. I do not sell children's products, but what if you sold pillows, for instance and you do not intend them for children under 12. Do you just put on your listing "not approved for children under 12." What if someone buys it for a child? Does the non-destructive testing offered by smart mama qualify?
What about all the stuff that is already sold, how can any liability be proven, especially as to date produced or sold.
I totally agree that this was a gross over-reaction on the part of lawmakers. I hope for all the sellers here that is resolved soon.

[Former_Member]

To answer the question, is Etsy doing enough? I wonder what do we expect them to do? I don't think Etsy can do anything more than we are dong individually.

I would like to see a few sellers who will be going out of business or will be significantly affected (Like ME!) featured. LOL but I think that's a selfish wish. :)

[Former_Member]

I'm trying to figure out how I can sell to my adult buyers without breaking the law. They DO make up 60% of my sales.

[Former_Member]

The exemptions being discussed are UNDYED cotton and wool and untreated wood.

How boring if we have to dress our children in UNDYED cotton and wool - boring one color (really no color) items. What about bleaching process? probably not included in the exemptions so all we can use without testing is a greyish beigish color? Who wants that?

[LaurieRyan]

that is why writing to pres obama will be helpful he has the power to convince congress that this is a bad law and needs to be reversed

[Former_Member]

marking