Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:08:12 -0500
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] "new" rules for the CPSIA legislation


I heard this on the news the day the law passed.   I will certainly be
writing some letters.  If this goes through I wonder what the range of
cost it will be to have products tested?

On Tue, Dec 16, 2008 at 3:18 PM, Lucky Stradley <lrc-AT-gpcom.net> wrote:
> I am forwarding portions of emails that I have received pertaining to the
> new legislation that might effect those of us who build products that can be
> played with by person less than 14 years of age.  I do not pretend to know
> much about this issue.  But there are others that seem to think that we need
> to take a closer look at this.
>
> Here is are the excerpts:
> " I posted a comment re: toy regulation on the petition site. I was
> wondering
>> if the new regulation law was to address imported toys only or was a
>> blanket
>> law  covering everyone  and the kitchen sink including small businesses
>> here
>> that produce safe soft toys for children?
>>
>> Anyways, About.com has some info on this area as the department of
>> consumer
>> protection visited Toy Fair this year.
>>
>> http://collectdolls.about.com/od/dollsattoyfair2006/tp/toyfair2008trends.htm"
>
> The response:
> "it applies to everyone. That's the terrible part of it. As it
> is written now there are absolutely no exceptions and it's up to the
> manufacturer to do the testing (ie...it doesn't matter if the
> materials one uses were tested beforehand).
>
> So not only does it put people making art dolls/bears/etc on thin ice
> but it will completely shut down all the cottage industries where
> people are making Waldorf/Steiner dolls, childrens clothing,
> hand-carved wooden toys, etc.
>
> In addition to how it affects small businesses there are responsible
> overseas manufacturers who have already stated they intend to stop
> selling to the US after this goes into effect. I chatted with the
> owner of my ex-workplace, which is now largely a high-end toy store,
> and she says they will no longer be able to stock a good portion of
> what they have now and all children's items, across the board (all
> stores, not just there) will go up by at least 20% in price.
>
> She was able to explain things to me a bit better. As it turns out,
> all the US had to do was to match the already very strict European
> guidelines and everything would have been fine. But instead the US
> apparently had to 'one up' everyone and go completely overboard
> creating a situation that not only will shut down thousands of little
> cottage industries but result in large scale layoffs from the retail
> through distributor and manufacturing levels.
>
> Anyway, if people are concerned I encourage them to write to their
> reps, even if it's just via the form letter that's been offered here
> before. Petitions are all but useless as far as getting a message to
> the people who can make changes; written ones are typically roundfiled
> and electronic ones ignored. If you are concerned, please write!"
>
> Another:
> "I just wanted to let you know what my product manager for our doll
> manufacturer responded to my question about the age situation for selling
> our
> new 7" jointed "Kinder Kid" dolls.
>
> Below is his answer to my question.  I asked about the "age 12 and
> above"...but he said...well, you can read it.
> I plan on following up on this and having them put all the necessary
> information on our packaging and doing some research on an "independent
> safety
> test lab".
> I found the second paragraph quite interesting.  Seems the government
> doesn't
> even know what's what....Duh! Same old same old!"
>
> Reply:
> "According to the US ASTM F963 toy safety standard, the definition of toys
> is
> any plaything designed, manufactured or marketed for children under 14 years
> of age. Therefore, your  "Kinder Kids" should be marketed for ages 14 and
> above in order to classify them as 'collectible doll' for adults. We suggest
> you to add the warning printing on the packaging, like "Choking Hazard: Not
> suitable for children under 14 years". The information of the distributor
> (your company) and country of origin should be included on the packaging,
> too,
> to fulfill the law in US.
>
> Since there is still a lot of things regarding the Consumer Product Safety
> Improvement Act not being declared/explained clearly yet, we would suggest
> you
> to contact the independent safety test lab there to clarify your
> responsibility if any."
>
> So have any one on pupcrit heard anything about all this?
>
> Lucky Stradley
> Hubbell, Nebraska
>
> lrc-AT-gpcom.net
>
> http://luckystradley.blogspot.com/
> ~~last update 11/2/2008~~
>
> http://www.picturetrail.com/13luckyme
> ~~picture trail last updated 6/9/2006~~
>
> http://community.webshots.com/user/beenlucky
> I am trying this site out for listing pictures.
> ~~last update 7/13/2006~~
>
> Always Lucky...well most of the time!
>
>
>
>
>
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