The Consumer Product Safety Commission has passed new regulations that will be going into effect on February 10, 2009. Most consumers are looking at this (if they have even heard about it) and thinking that it is a good thing - tighter regulations on lead in products that are sold for children.
What they don’t realize (if they even know about it) is that on February 10, 2009, most of the manufacturers of handmade toys, clothes, science kits, etc, will be shut down. Out of business. No longer to pay their bills, no longer able to sell their products.
Are you a Mom or Grandma who loves to find handmade, natural toys for the kids in your life? Better get them quick. Yes, those hand-carved wooden toys will soon be illegal to sell in the USA. Do you like our kids tote bags? The nightgowns that we occasionally offer? The oven mitts that we have sizzed down for smaller hands? Sorry, those will not be available by February 11, 2009.
Yes, this applies to clothing too. As the regulations stand TODAY, ANY PRODUCT THAT IS INTENDED FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 12 will be affected. Each product must be tested by an independent testing agency (which will add to the cost for those few products that do survive the regulations). That testing in and of itself costs thousands. THOUSANDS. Guess who will be paying that… yes, it will be you, the consumer
Is there anything that can be done? Always! Please take some time to get informed on the issue - I have included a short list of sites that have info for you to look through below. Once you are informed, please take a few moments to sign petitions, write to your congress person, write to the CPSC, write to the congressional committee responsible for these over-reaching blanket regulations. Spread the word to other parents.
Some sites with info:
nationalbankruptcyday.com
Fashion Incubator - CPSIA forum
AAFA
CPSIA impact on Children’s Apparel petition
CPSIA Impact on Children’s Toy Manufacturers petition
CPSIA Central
HandmadeToyAlliance.com
- they have a wonderful proposal to rework the CPSIA that will not put us all out of business
Write to the CPSC here
Write to your Senators here
Write to your Representative here
There are many other sites that are getting the word out, I’m sure that a google search will bring up even more options to learn about this.
Yes, as a mom I don’t want to see these products containing lead imported into our country and set down among our children any more than you do, but I also don’t want to see the wonderful alternatives that exist today to be removed from store shelves! As someone who tries to love a more “natural” or “earth-friendly” lifestyle, I value these alternative products. I love handmade cloth dolls! I think that wooden puzzles and toys are a wonderful alternative to the plastic junk that clutters our store shelves! I think it is a gross oversight on the part of the congressional committee that they did not think of these small businesses that manufacture these natural products - especially with the economic crisis that our country is already facing.
Yes, this will cause even more people to be out of a job. More businesses will be shutting down, laying off their employees, defaulting on the loans that they got in the past. I though our government was supposed to be figuring out how to create more jobs, not getting rid of the ones that people already have!
Please, I urge you to take a few moments to let your voice be heard. The small business owners in America who make the high quality, natural, handmade products that you love will thank you!
Yes, this is what we woke up to this morning here in Western Washington! Almost 4-inches fell overnight, and te snow is still coming down. - big, fluffy flakes that have already covered the driveway I spent 30 minutes shoveling. I guess I’m not going anywhere today after all!
