Update from Baby Cheapskate:
According to an article in today's Tennessean, Suzanne Kay-Pittman, public relations and communications manager of Goodwill Industries, says the thrift store chain will "sit tight" in the face of upcoming CPSIA regulations: ""We're not going to overreact at this point. We don't know for sure what it all means. Do we have to throw everything away? How will it affect the big-box retailers, consignment stores?"
The article also quotes Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesperson Scott Wolfson as saying that the CPSC "is working on a 30-day comment period where we will hear from consumers, manufacturers, retailers, anybody affected by the act." Wolfson says that the CPSIA will go into effect on February 10 even though the specifics of the law will not be finalized by then. Wolfson says that the CPSC wants to hear from the public regarding how the CPSIA will affect them.
* * * * *
The CPSC has just released specific guidelines for the resale industry:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
"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."... "The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties. "
So how will consignment stores and thrift stores obtain this "testing or other information" on their existing inventory? If they can't, they'll be forced to dump it. It sounds like there are still more questions that need to be answered. Either that, or I'm just in denial.The CPSC has just released specific guidelines for the resale industry:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
"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."... "The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties. "
Keep writing and calling.
You're making a difference!
What can you do?You're making a difference!
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
8) 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