It's not just toys!- More Info on the CPSIA

[This info was included in an e-mail I received. Being the mommy of a 17 month old, I personally disagree with the idea that it should be scaled back, the reality is there are many products (like sippy cups and baby bottles) that used types of plastic that were found to cause hormonal problems (amongst other things) in the children using the items. I do agree that it should have more manageable requirements that can be met by small producers of children's goods without putting them out of business due to the high cost of compliance.]

The CPSIA does not just affect toys--it regulates all products for children under 12. Clothing, school supplies, cloth diapers, car seats, boy scout patches, bicycles, sippy cups--everything. Congress in its wisdom decided that a problem caused by irresponsible mass-market
toymakers should be solved with a one-size-fits-all solution for dozens of industries totally unrelated to toys.

The Handmade Toy Alliance supports the parallel efforts of other industries to gain relief from the onerous enforcement mechanisms imposed by the CPSIA. Although we have proposed our own ideas that would help small toymakers, we believe that the following reforms of the
CPSIA would be fair, just, and appropriate to all affected industries:

* The law should be scaled back to focus on products that were an issue in the first place (namely: toys and children's jewelry).
* Enforcement should allow component versus unit testing. Manufacturers and/or industry groups, in cooperation with the CPSC, should decide the most rational method for their situation.
* Testing frequency rules should be adjusted to allow smaller companies that deal with smaller runs the ability to stay in business.
* Random testing could be part of the legislation in place of some of the more burdensome requirements, especially for "low volume" companies.
* Companies should be allowed to keep testing certificates on file instead of re-sending them with each order.
* The law should be simplified to be understandable, while maintaining (or improving) its effectiveness.
* Batch Labeling should be required only for companies producing more than a certain quantity.


We believe these guidelines if carried out would make the CPSIA more effective, more fair, and less onerous for a wide variety of industries.