I've decided to try and maybe sell some of the designs I make for dolls, but I've run into a snag, and that snag is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).
So if you're wondering what the CPSIA is, click the link above. Basically what it comes down to is that the government, or states, whatever are trying to stop the sale of all homemade items for children 12 years old and younger.This is only the beginning. There are many websites out there explaining all the details. The CPSIA has it's own, but it is very confusing. The gist is this...lead laws. Who knew that just about EVERYTHING contains led. Buttons, snaps, ribbon, and fabric too. What they want to do is a good thing...I am not against the lead laws...HOWEVER, how they are going about it is detrimental to small business. Right now things seem to be in limbo, more or less. In Feb 2011 there is expected to be another ruling finalizing the law. At that point they make put more restrictions on toys, clothes, anything for kids 12 and under as well as require all things be tested and given a tracking label. Right now, best I can tell, fabrics are exempt from the lead laws, but all notions are not. Right now they are not requiring testing or documentation, well I should say they aren't yet enforcing it for all, but they will. Seems simple, right? Just test things. Well, not so simple. Everything, all your items need to be tested individually and it's very very expensive. If you're a small business with just you or you and one person running it, than you can't afford these tests.
So until I can figure this thing out...things I am sewing are ending up being put away or given to my daughter. They can't tell me I can't do that, right? It's my daughter. After reading the studies done, yes even the CPSIA's own data, i am not in fear of my kids dying of lead poisoning. One child in 11 years has died...just one. What were the circumstances of her death? Lead paint. So I ask these questions, why lead? Why is lead used at all? Okay it may be dangerous in high quantities, but denying people make items utilizing materials that contain lead...what are they to use in it's place? Why not stop it at the source? Don't allow lead to be used in manufacturing the materials that other businesses than buy. Why not instead provide us with a safe alternative. If you take our materials away then we'll be forced to close up shop...putting another person, or persons out of work which only raises the already climbing un-employment rate.
If you want us to remain open, than provide us with alternative testing measures. Be sensible. Think about how a grandmother sewing doll clothes who sells at craft fairs is going to afford those tests. This grandma may not have a huge business, but a business just the same. It supplements her income or lack thereof.
I implore you to read on and support small business if you feel the way I do.
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?forum_id=5000002
http://amendthecpsia.com/
So if you're wondering what the CPSIA is, click the link above. Basically what it comes down to is that the government, or states, whatever are trying to stop the sale of all homemade items for children 12 years old and younger.This is only the beginning. There are many websites out there explaining all the details. The CPSIA has it's own, but it is very confusing. The gist is this...lead laws. Who knew that just about EVERYTHING contains led. Buttons, snaps, ribbon, and fabric too. What they want to do is a good thing...I am not against the lead laws...HOWEVER, how they are going about it is detrimental to small business. Right now things seem to be in limbo, more or less. In Feb 2011 there is expected to be another ruling finalizing the law. At that point they make put more restrictions on toys, clothes, anything for kids 12 and under as well as require all things be tested and given a tracking label. Right now, best I can tell, fabrics are exempt from the lead laws, but all notions are not. Right now they are not requiring testing or documentation, well I should say they aren't yet enforcing it for all, but they will. Seems simple, right? Just test things. Well, not so simple. Everything, all your items need to be tested individually and it's very very expensive. If you're a small business with just you or you and one person running it, than you can't afford these tests.
So until I can figure this thing out...things I am sewing are ending up being put away or given to my daughter. They can't tell me I can't do that, right? It's my daughter. After reading the studies done, yes even the CPSIA's own data, i am not in fear of my kids dying of lead poisoning. One child in 11 years has died...just one. What were the circumstances of her death? Lead paint. So I ask these questions, why lead? Why is lead used at all? Okay it may be dangerous in high quantities, but denying people make items utilizing materials that contain lead...what are they to use in it's place? Why not stop it at the source? Don't allow lead to be used in manufacturing the materials that other businesses than buy. Why not instead provide us with a safe alternative. If you take our materials away then we'll be forced to close up shop...putting another person, or persons out of work which only raises the already climbing un-employment rate.
If you want us to remain open, than provide us with alternative testing measures. Be sensible. Think about how a grandmother sewing doll clothes who sells at craft fairs is going to afford those tests. This grandma may not have a huge business, but a business just the same. It supplements her income or lack thereof.
I implore you to read on and support small business if you feel the way I do.
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?forum_id=5000002
http://amendthecpsia.com/
Wow, seems so complicated for something that just shouldn't be!
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