Bring on the Rain

There is a new law that is being passed called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). While this is a law that bans lead and dangerous chemicals in children's toys and products, it has a terrible impact on others in this nation. Read how this can affect you and your family:

All businesses that sell any children products are required to pay for a third party testing on each product. Large manufacturers may be able to afford this, but small businesses cannot. It can cost thousands of dollars (estimation of at least $4,000 dollars) for one item.

ANYONE who sells any children's items, such as: toys, clothes, cds, dvds, books, homeschooling supplies, bicycles, and so forth has to comply with this new law. We cannot even give any of these things away to charity. The government requires all of it to be disposed. Everything must be certified and tested.

This law passes on Feburary 10th of this year (2009) and after that, it will be illegal to sell or give away these items. The penalty is 100,000 dollars and 5 years in prison.

Thrift stores, libraries, small businesses, Ebay stores and home businesses will suffer greatly from this impact. Amazon has already contacted their vendors and told them to comply with this law and stop selling books that do not meet these requirements.

Read this Article for More Information:
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia


What Can We Do About It??

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 ineach category will be presented to President-elect Obama. http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Writeabout this on your blog. Tell others about this issue andencourage them to do the same.