T O P I C R E V I E W |
MsCwick |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 3:16:11 PM Panel Exempts Some Products From U.S. Lead Rules (Update1)
By Mark Drajem
Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to exempt electronic goods and products with lead embedded inside from new rules banning the metal in toys.
The two-member commission, reacting to complaints from manufacturers, also agreed to exempt natural products such as gems and cotton from mandatory testing for lead. The proposal, given initial approval today, will be open for public comment for a month and may be altered.
Companies had urged the safety commission to pass more far- reaching exemptions and to put them in place immediately, before the ban on lead in toys takes effect Feb. 10.
“The deadline is coming up very, very quickly,” said Sheila Millar, a lawyer representing the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association. Companies “want clarity and they need it quickly,” she said.
Still, companies shouldn’t expect a crackdown, said Julie Vallese, a spokeswoman for the commission.
“There’s a need for compliance, but it’s fair to say that the toy police will not be descending on all of America on Feb. 11,” Vallese said.
First Overhaul
Congress passed the first overhaul of consumer protection laws in almost two decades last year in response to a spate of recalls the year before of Chinese-made toys containing lead. While previous regulations included limits on lead, the law toughened the standard and expanded its reach to all products aimed at children 12 and under.
That expansion has ensnared makers of products such as bicycles and books that never thought of themselves as toymakers, said Ed Krenik, a lobbyist at Bracewell & Giuliani LLP in Washington.
The law also forces all makers of children’s products to get independent tests of their toys to prove they don’t contain lead.
Lobbyists representing makers of products such as books, handheld computers, bedding and shoes banded together to petition the commission to exempt them from the new lead standards. They say the independent commission should also remove glass, bolts, mattress padding and other components of products that present no risks to children.
The proposed exemptions considered today are “incomplete and provide no process for adding additional materials which are known to science to not contain lead,” a coalition of handmade- toy sellers wrote to the CPSC on Jan. 3.
The CPSC exempted wool, cotton, silk, gemstones and pearls in its proposal today.
The panel also faces pressure from consumer groups to keep the standards tight. The only lead in toys the commission ruled was “inaccessible” was that which children couldn’t touch, a standard Millar argued is too tight.
“The agency is aware that this one-size-fits-all law doesn’t necessarily fit all sectors,” Vallese said. “But the laws are set and Congress was very explicit.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Drajem in Washington at mdrajem@bloomberg.net
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a0Xr2Iw1Vi_8&refer=us
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Not sure if any of you have seen this on etsy, but here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5949146 What a great way to get the point across.
I think the CPSIA will be ammended. It is in first place by FAR, in the economy section! So if you haven't voted, vote, and if you have, congrats for supporting such an important cause!
If you've voted and still want to get the point across here's an idea
QUOTE: from the etsy convo.... Here is the address of his Washington office (this is from his official website so I presume he intends it to be public knowledge):
Rep. Bobby Rush 2416 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515
Let's make sure we don't put "Hazardous Substance" on the outside of the box, or else they'll have to call in the bomb squad or something.
Suggested text for enclosed letter: On Feb. 10, 2009 this item will turn into a [really big font]HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE[end really big font] Don't let this happen!
I am a crafter [or artisan; I don't want to reopen that debate] who makes and sells one of a kind items for children. It is financially and physically impossible for me to do all the lead testing that the CPSIA requires. Since all my products will legally be classified as "hazardous substances" on Feb. 10, 2009, I am sending one as a gift to you. How else am I going to get rid of it, if it will be a felony to sell it? Hopefully you can find something to do with it before Feb. 10 too, so that you don't have to call in the hazmat team to take it away.
Of course, Rep. Rush, if your committee would reconsider the interpretation of the CPSIA, I might not have to go out of business...
Sincerely, [your name]
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14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
ThePixiesPlayhouse |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 5:11:26 PM In reading about the law I found this in the FAQ "Q. Where must these certificates be filed? A. A certificate does not have to be filed with the government. As noted above, the certificate must "accompany" the product shipment, and be "furnished" to distributors and retailers, and be furnished to CPSC upon request."
Does this mean once I received a certificate, I would not have to show it to anyone, since we sell directly? What is the point........? Talk about frustrating!
________________________ Farmgirl #428
"It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought, without accepting it" Aristotle |
Tammy Claxton |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 4:58:08 PM voted last night
Crafty Bay Farmgirl Chapter
"What doesn't kill you will only make you stronger"
Farmgirl #152
http://countryintheburbs.blogspot.com/
http://bigdogmom130.etsy.com |
kpaints |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 12:51:06 PM I found this on craigs list and this sight is at the source if anyone wants to read it. http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html The documents are there, onl6 6 short pages. Click on Children's products.
Find your joy and live it. http://cheneybaglady.blogspot.com/http://www.kpaints.etsy.com |
Alee |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 2:34:01 PM Oh that is good! My dolls are saved!!
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
MsCwick |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 10:42:12 AM I saw that! It was posted by Craftsbury kids' cecilia. isnt this great. I sent her the link to the one i created, then craftsbury created their own, which has gotten the RIGHT amount of publicity! |
pumpkinhaus |
Posted - Dec 15 2008 : 09:25:51 AM Thank You!! I will vote on it!
And, in case you haven't seen this one yet... here is another, and this one has over 500 votes so far and is #1 under ecomomy right now!
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
The full text of the act is here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/legislation.html
http://www.pumpkinhaus.etsy.com http://pumpkinhaus.blogspot.com http://hyenacart.com/pumpkinhaus |
Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 14 2008 : 01:00:09 AM bump
also Cristine..if you can get onto etsy.com and post this into the forums there..I am certain you'll get the votes you need.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ visit me at: http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/ and at: www.stliving.net and at:www.thevictorygardener.blogspot.com you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com and at:http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
MsCwick |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 08:08:16 AM Email the link to everyone you know who is affiliated with the handmade industry; even if it's not necessarily someone who makes children's things.
It went from 467th place to 108th. I need 270 votes. People are voting on other ideas faster than this one. It only has 8 votes. We need 268 more.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!
www.thelittlegreenstore.net Do what you can, with what you have, right where you are. - Roosevelt |
yarnmamma |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 07:21:17 AM I just voted too. Let's keep this bumped up.
Linda in Scranton, PA farmgirl #71
Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful Farmgirl New Year!! |
ruralfarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 12 2008 : 07:12:36 AM Thanks Christin...This is important stuff.. I appreciate you watching this one :).. Just one more reason for "homemade christmas'" :)
Rene~Prosser Farmgirl #185 http://farmchicksfarm.blogspot.com/
Circumstances made us FRIENDS; MaryJane's has made us SISTERS :) |
lacisne88 |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 11:35:24 PM I just voted.
Chelsey Farmgirl Sister #283
http://farmgirlpleasures.blogspot.com/
http://aminiatureworld.blogspot.com/ |
Alee |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 9:24:18 PM Let's keep voting ladies! This could affect all home based industries! 6 votes so far!
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
Tina Michelle |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 7:28:25 PM I voted also
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ visit me at: http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/ and at www.stliving.net you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
Alee |
Posted - Dec 11 2008 : 4:12:16 PM I voted Cristine!!
Alee Farmgirl Sister #8 www.awarmheart.com Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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