Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:17:35 -0800
To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] "new" rules for the CPSIA legislation


Hobey,

Here is the ballpark pricing I gathered from the lab I contacted.

The tests you might need for Peepers might be very different from the  
tests required for plush toys.

$75 each different material is a different component -- lead in  
substrates - the article itself (or what is under the coating)
$70 per coating (for example if it's a button (or a glossy plastic  
toy) it will have a coating)
$245 physical mechanical torque & tension ASTM F963
$70 flammability per toy
$85 doll's clothing
$?? forgot to ask the price of the test for pthalates. Since peepers  
are plastic, you would probably have to test for this.

Michael

On Dec 16, 2008, at 2:08 PM, Hobey Ford wrote:

> 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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