Thursday, January 8, 2009

Save Handmade

THIS LAW APPLIES TO YOU. Do you sell inside the US? THIS LAW APPLIES TO YOU.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia




It pertains to absolutely anything that is geared towards kids 12&under. Some of the changes to the Product Safety Requirements are vague, some are contradictory. Unfortunately it looks like the good intentions, protecting children from hazardous products, are going to benefit no one but the big companies that allowed this to happen in the first place. The big companies can afford the $300 to $4000 per item, per style testing. Small companies and ooak creators obviously can not. Small business children clothing, accessory & toy makers will be out of business. It also may affect doll makers like myself if we are considered to cater to the 12&under. That's why EGADS and other art doll teams are concerned too (I'm not a member, I follow a few of their members blogs though).
AND even second hand/vintage children items will be included in this! You will not be able to have so much as a garage sale without breaking these new laws. I kid you not.

Currently this issue is #8 on Change.org's top 10 issues/ideas to go in front of Obama. So please, if anything read up and then vote to be sure this stays within the 10 changes US netizens would like his attention brought to.

This will destroy many small businesses if it goes into effect "as is" on Feb. 10th.


Here's my LJ post minus the widget:

What is Ideas for Change in America (http://www.change.org)?
Ideas for Change in America is a nationwide competition to identify the best ideas for change in America. The top 10 ideas will be presented to the Obama administration just before inauguration day and form the basis of a nationwide advocacy campaign to turn each idea into actual policy.
[quoted from the site]

As of right now "Save Small Business from the CPSIA" is in place #8 of the top 10.

Please read the article and at least some of the comments. Vote to keep it in the top 10 if you feel so inclined.

Direct link to above article: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
More info on the new Product Safety Requirements: http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-requirements/
Certificate of Compliance: http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/certification.html
One of the many Etsy Forum discussions on the matter (I list it because it has many links that others may be interested in): http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5935591&page=1
And an excellent compilation of very important info: http://cynjonnoah.blogspot.com/2008/12/longishbut-please-read-this.html

1 comment:

  1. I will be blogging about this on my blog today. Yesterday was honestly the first I had heard of it. I did read however, that thrift shops, and consignments will not apply to the law. I will try to find where I read that. Nonetheless it will be a disaster for all small business and crafters.

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