CPSIA Will Destroy Baby Bargains

Jan

2009

Author: Josh

Is anyone familiar with H.R. 4040, the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)? You can find the complete document here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf. It’s a 62-page government legal-ease document so it is very difficult to read. From a general search on the Internet I am finding lots of discussion. It was signed into law back in Aug 2008 to protect children by requiring all goods for children under 12 to be tested for lead. In theory, this is very good. However, according to what I have read so far, no distinction is made between larger manufacturers and individual resellers. This means no more yard sales, ebay, craigslist, etc. without first having your used baby clothes and toys tested for lead. According to http://www.boutiquecafe.com/home/tag/cpsia/, she contacted one of the 14 labs in the US and they charge $75 per garment component, which meant a single shirt she wanted to give away would cost her $625… Plus $50-$100 per component for fireproof testing to add another $400-$800 for a grand total $1025-$1425 to test each cotton panel and button that makes up the Little Red Riding Hood shirt. Crafts at fairs, schools, and churches will have to be tested. Clothing from yard sales, online, church winter coat drives, the Salvation Army, Good Will – everything will need to be tested before being given away or resold if it is for a child under 12.

Think about all the small businesses in this area around the country. This will shut them down. How many more millions of dollars will be taken out of the already ailing economy. How many bargain hunters will be forced to pay retail and possibly even high retail to cover the cost of the testing? I found a list of options at http://www.boutiquecafe.com/home/tag/cpsia/ of actions we can take to get this law amended.

What can you do?
1) Email or call the CPSIA – the office of the CPSC ombudsman 888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.
mailto:Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov.

2) Email or snail mail your representatives.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/issues/alert/?alertid=12274476

3) Call your representatives. For their contact information just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

4) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue. The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

5) Sign the petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

6) Spread the word! Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

7) Join others in fighting this cause.
Facebook group
Twitter search
http://cpsia-central.ning.com/notes/Notes_Home%3Cbr%20/%3E

Join the etsy community in the virtual chat with CPSIA Small Business Ombudsmen or send a handmade children’s item that will become “hazardous goods” as of 2/9/09 to Bobby Rush, founder of H.R. 4040.
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/handmade-childrens-items-unintended-consequences-consumer-pr-3056/
Etsy Thread