CSPIA inspired post

If you are under the rock I was under until recently, I'm sure you haven't heard of the CSPIA.

The history of it lays in last year's toy recall- remember all those toys recalled? And the outrage that the CPSC hadn't done anything to prevent it?

In steps congress- who passes a law -HR 4040- otherwise known as the CSPIA which says that all items/products intended for a child under the age of 12 must be tested for lead and meet the lead limits set AND passed a ban on phthalates.

Sounds ok, almost, right- I mean-no one was happy that we were importing toys that were unsafe.. but this one went too far- ALL ITEMS for children under 12- ALL. Books, clothes, cloth diaper included. ALL.

Congress debated this law less time than it takes them to give themselves a pay raise. And because it's retroactive to all product in inventory on Feb 10th, it means what is sitting on selves unsold at that time is trash. unsellable unless it has a General certificate of conformity.

So why not get one of those certificates? Sure.

Follow the money on this one- I'll have to contact a CPSC certified lab (who is paid to certify them) to have them test every product I have from every production run and then have a way to label and track all items sold and provide the GCC for them... and this will be to the tune of $100-400/component.

oh, yes- that's component. In our products, it's pretty simple- Cloth and thread, maybe velcro. God help those who make clothes- the zipper, elastic, thread and each type of fabric must be tested.

And when we get the GCC for our product and someone wants to embroider it for burp cloths- ya know what? they're going to have to have it RE-tested because it's now it's a different final product.

Want to get involved? Check The National Bankruptcy Day website for links to petitions, addresses for your congressmen and get informed. This is going to be a huge unnecessary economic drain for LOTS of small companies.