Just got this email today:
I’m writing to let you know about an important new law that goes into effect on February 10, 2009 requiring all products meant for children to be certified safe and lead free. After last year’s scare over lead contaminated toys from China, this sounds like a good thing, right?
Unfortunately, the new law goes a bit overboard. It requires that, on February 10, every single new product on every retail shelf (or every web warehouse) in the entire United States that is meant for any child under the age of 12—not just toys, but clothing—every dress, bib, diaper cover, bonnet, bootie, christening gown, pair of pjs, pair of socks, sweater, slip, every piece of furniture, crib sheet, cloth diaper, as well as every doll, stuffed animal, wooden toy, book, art supply, bike, and tricycle—the list is endless!—must be independently tested by a government laboratory and certified (even though nothing in it contains lead or is hazardous in any way) or it cannot be sold. Nor can it be given away or donated to Goodwill or your church annual fundraiser or your local consignment shop (or sold on ebay or Craigs list either). Now, that doesn’t seem right, does it?
So far, only a small percentage of Grammie’s Attic’s 4000+ products have been certified. None of the new products can be sold after February 10 without certifications on hand from the manufacturers. Many of Grammie’s Attic’s small craft makers and manufacturers cannot afford the cost of certifying their products and they may go out of business. This is going to happen to manufacturers and retailers all across the country. Many other small businesses, local crafts people, and libraries will be affected and so will consumers when there are fewer children’s products to choose from and the cost of certified products skyrockets.
Not many people are aware of the impact of this law yet. You can help by learning more about it at http://www.grammies-attic.com/cpsia.html, by contacting your congressional representatives, and by signing petitions to help prevent February 10 from becoming National Bankruptcy Day.