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Post by susien on Aug 21, 2009 8:45:52 GMT -5
Not sure is this is the right place to put this but here is the latest on the Product Safety Improvement Act. The only product I sell that I thought might fall under this is Marshmallow Blasters but there is a section that says "If a product is intended for adults or for general use by consumers of all ages, then it is not intended primarily for children." and honestly, I sell more of them to adults than kids. Don't we just love our governments help? www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html |
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Post by susien on Aug 21, 2009 10:09:44 GMT -5
Don't even get me started on this damn bill. I have followed this bill from the day it started. It does not affect me because I do not sell to children. I don't make products for children. I don't want my products in the hands of children. BUT...this bill is written in such a way that anything that "Could" be used or accessed by & for children "Could" fall under this bill. Where does it end? Just think of all the handcrafted items that will be off the market because of this bill. Just think about all of the people this bill will affect. Sad, Sad, Sad. I agree....... I have also followed this bill from day 1 and Yes, some of my items are for children. The bill is horrible and will hurt many people. What scares me the most, is I THINK my items are ok but who honestly knows with this bill? Susie |
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Post by weesewcute on Aug 29, 2009 0:13:27 GMT -5
I will be totally out of business if this bill passes. If it does you will see me picket the White House everyday! Mattel has millions to manipulate the outcome for themselves while putting us out of business.
Join the Handmade Toy Alliance on Facebook.
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Post by susien on Aug 29, 2009 1:19:52 GMT -5
The way I understand it...... it has passed. They are still making some exceptions but the bill was signed into law by President Bush.
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Post by susien on Aug 29, 2009 11:04:55 GMT -5
Weesewcute,
What type of items do you sell? I thought you did children's clothing? If so I found this on the site:
Dyed or undyed children’s clothing made from natural, untreated cotton, silk, wool, hemp, flax, linen, and other untreated natural materials including coral, amber, feathers, fur and leather
OK to sell
Does this cover your items?
Susie
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Post by weesewcute on Aug 29, 2009 23:32:00 GMT -5
I sell children's clothing and hairbows, wings, tutus and various other bills. This law is so stupid that I would be able to make a skirt and sell it out of fabric but I could not add a button or a zipper. Half my inventory I could not sell.
Yes it did pass but they gave people a stay. There is 165 days left to get this bill amended. If you check out my Facebook site I have the links to it. You can also look up the group amend the CPSIA. It tells you were the bill is.
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Post by susien on Aug 30, 2009 0:11:22 GMT -5
I honestly do not feel that this bill will be amended enough to help the average crafter. When it first came to my attention, I started changing what I made. I do not agree with the law but I do not see it being amended enough to cover all the items that crafters use on the items they make. I do know that many crafters have sold the items that they had that were in question and are not replacing them. I do get the email updates on CPSIA and trust me I have spent many hours reading and researching it...... As Paula asked, have you thought about what you will do if this bill is not amended?
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Post by weesewcute on Aug 31, 2009 15:10:34 GMT -5
I am not really sure what I will do. I will have to change a large part of the products I carry. It is so simple as not being able to put a metal barrette on something. How stupid. What I don't understand is if the supplier that I buy from passes the lead test then why must I have it retested? Would this law wipe out many suppliers. Would a craft store not be able to carry a item because it might be used for children? The law is so grey it is stupid.
Susien what do you sell? Do you make your stuff?
I am trying to educate everyone and get them to act. My web sites have the info. I also put a flyer in the bag of everything I sell with the info on it. I walk the fairs I do and try to educate other vendors on the law. Many people have no idea about it.
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Post by susien on Aug 31, 2009 15:22:38 GMT -5
Yes, my items are all hand made at this point. Who knows that might one day be changing. Nothing I sell now falls under the new act. My girlfriend got rid of all her haor ribbons, blankets, clothing, etc. I think many people are just phasing the items out instead of waiting to see what is going to happen then be stuck with it.
I agree that when the item is tested the first time it should carry forward and be ok but that is not how they wrote it. I am waiting to see what happens to all the toys and baby items in such stores as Dollar Tree and 99 cent stores. I am surprised that people do not know about this act by now. It has been in the news, etc. since last February.
Like I said all of my items are fine, I did not want to wait and see what happened and get stuck with the things. Good luck on whatever you decide to do.
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Post by davejs on Aug 31, 2009 16:06:25 GMT -5
Hi Susie. Noticed that you have been following this for awhile. I have had info on the website for awhile. www.starvingvendors.com/lead_in_toys.htmlI haven't updated it in quite awhile. Would you be interested in writing a piece for me to put on that page updating what is going on with that? You are our local expert on it and I am certain there's a number of people who would appreciate more info on it. If you have more good links, etc., you could provide them. I'd most likely put your info at the top of the page and put your name as a contributing writer. Will also mention the info on Your Daily Dose and the front page of the website. |
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Post by susien on Sept 1, 2009 8:07:27 GMT -5
Dave,
You have mail. Good time to update since labels are now required for items manufactured on or after August 14, 2009!
Susie
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Post by susien on Sept 1, 2009 8:11:53 GMT -5
Paula,
My kids items are gone. It is not worth the worry or expense to me. I have written emails and voiced my opinion and will continue to do so but I think it is too late. I have noticed on some craft show applications now that this Act is being mentioned. As you said a "well educated" group of consumers.......
Susie
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Post by weesewcute on Sept 1, 2009 21:19:36 GMT -5
Dave the site amendthecpsi.org is a really site. They are also on Facebook. The other good site is the Homemade Toy Alliance.
I got some clarification on a few things from the alliance. I can sell a toy or a barrette that I make if I get it from a tested source. I will not have to have it retested. The problem with this is that it will jack up the prices of the items that we sell and not be able to resell them for a decent price. This in a bad economy will be death for many people. It will also take out the businesses that are buying the products overseas.
I am changing a few of the things I sell. I am looking for wood buttons and I am calling my vendors to see if they are in compliance with the law.
Also has anyone thought about what this will do to antique toy collectors?
Basically people are just lying right now. I looked at a pack of the barrettes I buy and I see it says for +15. If you label it that way you an get around the law I guess. Who knows.
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Post by susien on Sept 2, 2009 7:54:08 GMT -5
Also has anyone thought about what this will do to antique toy collectors?
They said that these items are exempt because they are not geared to children under the age of 12, they are antiques for collectors and would not be an item for children to play with.
I do not think the +15 is going to work for this. Many have asked that question, and from what I read it is not going to work if they can tell it is for a child under the age of 12...
Honestly, I think this Act is just that a "Act" to cause more problems....... of course good old Mattel gets to do their own "testing".... maybe we should all send Mattel our items and let them do our testing also.....
Just make sure any items you are making now (as of August 14th) has the new label that is now required with the manufacture information on it.....
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Post by weesewcute on Sept 4, 2009 23:41:19 GMT -5
Yeah that is what I am saying. I can buy a product that is obviously made for children and the person can sell it to me by saying that it is not intended for children's use. (Look in the local craft store and you will see it). If I then take that item and make it into something to sell to children I will have to have it tested. That is how badly this law is written. The Homemade Toy alliance has been granted the request to have a person speak on their behalf at a upcoming hearing on this subject. They are looking for donations. If you can donate please due. The info is on their website.
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