Labradorite and Peridot Pendant
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I know, it’s supposed to be all wordless today, but I had to post some information about the new CPSIA law that is about to go into effect. This law was designed to protect children from lead poisoning, which is of course wonderful and important. However, because it is poorly written, the requirements effectively put small, home-based businesses creating pretty much anything for children out of business, due to the high cost of testing products.
I’ve read a lot of the law, and I can see how it makes sense to require factories to comply, but I don’t see how my friend who knits baby booties or another friend who decorates onesies can possibly operate with these regulations.
Here is a recent article from Forbes:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
And here’s the law, so you can see for yourself:
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
January 28th, 2009 - 10:04 am
Wow, it really is ridiculous, isn’t it? I’m panicking that it will get amended in time! I don’t want to buy crappy store bought toys and clothes for my girls, when I can buy quality handmade items on Etsy instead.
Thanks for posting this, Leah!
January 28th, 2009 - 10:16 am
yep, ridiculous is a good word for it. another law that will be prohibitively expensive to enforce, and which puts the brunt of the punishment on people who weren’t causing the problem to begin with. I’m all for making the big companies that manufacture overseas test stuff….but this law went too far in its scope.
March 7th, 2009 - 8:00 pm
[...] Children’s jewelry is also produced by many beaders, crafters and other small enterprises for sale at local arts fairs, Etsy, and so forth. The outcry on CPSIA from small producers, dealers and distributors includes, to pick a sampling, Fairy Tale Jewels, Angie Vinez, Birds and the Beads (”Even if the components have all been certified (such as TierraCast pewter), the CPSIA law still requires that the final product be tested regardless.”), My Aphrodite, Rings and Things, My Charmed Life, and Michon Jewelry. [...]