i received an email about this several weeks back but forgot about it for a while…so i thought i’d share it now!
the intention of the law is to protect children from harmful/dangerous products and requires third party testing on all products. it also requires products be labeled with batch numbers, and ban lead and phthalates in toys. the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed mainly because of the toys that were produced in China to be sold in the United States, that had high levels of lead, small, easy to swallow parts, and pieces that were not properly secured.
large toy manufaturers will be able to comply with this new law, however, small businesses, and those belonging to the handcrafting community such as Etsy, will no longer be able to produce legally as testing could cost up to $4,000 per ITEM! toys will not be the only product affected, but all items for children under the age of 12 will have to undergo testing- that means, bibs, children’s clothing, cloth diapers, etc.
i’ve already read about several small businesses who have ceased production or plan to cease production starting the new year, simply because they cannot comply with these new laws when they go into effect in February.
so, what can you do to help? sign a petition online, or write to your Senator or Congressman to request changes to the law to help save handmade children’s products. check out Handmade Toy Alliance to get the full story!
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