The Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)

[devoutdolls]

Being a small business and someone who crafts handmade toys, this directly affects me. Please read up on this issue that will be enacted in Feb. There is still time to act. Write to your congressmen and senators. There is more info here at this website

Comments

[heycookie]

CPSIA is one of the most ridiculous things I have heard in years, and it makes me so angry. As a parent, I definitely understand the need to make sure our children are safe, but as an individual who hand-makes items, I find it very unfair that giant corporations that import toys and parts are being treated the same as people like you and me. DIY toy/clothing makers are not the ones using materials that could harm children. And call me a crazy conspiracy theorist, but I can envision a future after this law has been enacted where big business bad guys will be buying off these third-party testing companies so that they can continue to produce low-quality products made with potentially hazardous materials. =/
I've signed every petition and letter I can find regarding this issue. I just hope President Obama won't be too busy trying to fix all of America's other problems to take a look at this one.

[devoutdolls]

I completely agree, I totally don't trust any big business people and could see them getting away with things like that. I really hope people will react and they will take notice. It will ruin my business if it gets put into effect. Thank you for signing the petitions! Please consider also writing your congress person and senator, the link will take you to blanket letter that is easy to fill out and send, all done online!

[hoarymarmot]

No, you just need to keep selling your work as what it is: art! Your work is not meant for children, so don't feel like you need to stop doing what you do because of this idiotic law. That doesn't change the fact that tons of people do make children specific items, and I seriously don't understand why the feds are completely ignoring the whole thing and not making it clear how it will all work. This is just like those morons in California banning the resale of vintage jewelry.

[devoutdolls]

well, unfortunately, I also make a lot of things for kids and wholesale things to kids stores. The art thing is only half my business and not the bulk of what I make my money on. I've already changed some of my descriptions to say "not intended for children, for adult collectors only" but I hate limiting my stuff in that way.

[slytherin13]

YIPES!!
Thanks for posting that! I emailed Jim McDermott, so hopefully that helps!!
I know for us (being a LARGE company) we definitely are held accountable for this type of testing, which MAKES SENSE, cause someone could choke on a button from a sweater we make & then we’ll be sued. I think there should be a requirement depending on the number of UNITS you sell. So if you are a major manufacturer or retailer, sure, you have to abide by the regulations, because it’s more likely your product would be sold to FAR more children. But for small businesses, they need to be excluded & put the responsibility back in the parents’ hands. Anyway, blah blah blah ;D Sorry to ramble…
I HOPE this gets changed!!

[devoutdolls]

Exactly! I totally understand the concern and even support the idea when it's put to large companies that have things made overseas (or even here) but they really need to change it to say that smaller business who do very small runs of completely handmade items are exempt. Ugh, it's just so lame!