It's being called National Bankruptcy Day. To make a long, long story short:
The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Congress have just passed a law which requires ALL MAKERS of CHILDRENS' PRODUCTS in the US and importing to the US to have their products (and components) tested by a CPSC-certified, Third-party testing laboratory FOR LEAD CONTENT.
On Feb 10, 2009, all businesses which do not comply with said testing (which is incredibly expensive and unecessary for textiles as fabric does not contain lead) will be in violation of federal law, guilty of selling banned products and subject to fines and jail time. This affects ALL of us. WAHMs, Etsy sellers, crafters, wooden and organic toy companies, baby carriers, ect. On Feb 10th, the handcrafted movement dies. WAHMs are out of business. The economy sinks even lower.
If it sounds unbelievable, believe it. Here are several links for you to consiume. The kids industry has been slow to realize how serious this ruling is because it sounds so ridiculous. But it is real, and incredibly sad.
I would prefer that manufacturers be required to do the testing.
But, as someone who has sold handicrafts in the past, it seems there should be some sort of consession made for homemade items.
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Wannabe SAHM - DOB 06-30-69
Diagnosed with Emphysema in 2005
TTC on & off since 12-05
Application to Adopt Denied 06-07
Miscarriages - 10-10-08 & 12-23-08
A part of me thinks that this will blow over much the way the wahm pad makers and FDA approval (because pads are considered a medical device) thing blew over. I never heard of anyone getting fined by the FDA. I don't think anyone was really interested in busting the little guy. But the law is scary. Many wahms shut down out of fear only to be replaced by new wahm businesses.
And then there's another part of me that thinks I need to be really clear that I don't make toys...I make decorative collectibles. Uh-huh. (all made with non-toxic materials purchased in the US...where you cannot even buy lead based paint).
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~Dannielle
Momma to Isabelle (8/95) and Mason (1/01)
Sure, go ahead. I think I stole it from the Hallmark store anyway
I was thinking maybe I need to start making display stands for bendy dolls so I can market them as a figurine. Ya know, like a Hummel or something lol.
Sure, go ahead. I think I stole it from the Hallmark store anyway
I was thinking maybe I need to start making display stands for bendy dolls so I can market them as a figurine. Ya know, like a Hummel or something lol.
That's a good idea...Meagan (patchwork pixie) was teasing me about *my* collection and asked how I displayed them. I don't, I hide them....from children under 12 yoa that think they're toys. lmbo.
I'm hoping it blows over, too. But... I'm sure there will be good toycrafters who are put out of business, like there were good padmakers put out of business over it.
(btw- any of you toymakers want to make some handcrafted toys for my toy drive/contest in the spring - for me to take to Ethiopia to orphans at a couple of orphanages next summer? I'll be announcing the contest in Jan!)
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Heather Mitchell
mom to 4
and another on the way... from Ethiopia!
I've been reading about this on Etsy. It's really scary.
I feel that WAHMs who are purchasing their components in the US should be exempt, as the components should have been tested by the manufacturer.
The Fashion Incubator had an interesting article on how this will affect the smaller companies within the fashion industry who would not be able to afford to test each garment, in each colorway, that they plan to market.
I was talking to my mom the other day, she is a very baby diaper making, and she was saying something about how things were getting really difficult because of some new law.... I THOUGHT she said flammability issues, but maybe this is what she was referring to. Anyhow, after years and years of diaper making (my mom used to make Sugar Peas when I owned it) she is getting out of the biz soon I think.
wife to toby 
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