(UPDATED BELOW)
I want my children’s toys, clothing, and gear to be safe for them. I really do. I don’t want to provide loopholes for companies who have taken short cuts which resulted in countless recalls of toys in the last two years.
I have already talked a bit about the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) and the consequences to the hand made toy industry. In essence mandated lead testing of hand made products would put many small businesses out of business.
But here’s the latest: it may end consignment sales and charities such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army. That’s right, the law as written/interpreted means that these retailers would also have to test children’s products for lead.
What? Will my beloved One Week Boutique sale be shut down? How will I purchase a season’s worth of gently used clothing for my children? Where will I sell all that they have outgrown?
I can tell you I am up in arms about this. And everyone I have talked to assumes that consignment sales will end.
But maybe it’s not the case. Non Toxic Reviews has a link to a news article that states that one-of-a-kind items at consignment sales will not be affected by new laws. I wonder if this could be applied to the hand made cottage industry, particularly to Etsy sellers who do make each item individually.
Lord help me if I have to have a garage sale. It will be the end of me. Not to mention going all over town to purchase used items for my children. I like the one-stop shop and sell that is One Week Boutique (okay two stops: one to drop off and another to shop). And I love getting a big fat check in the mail that covers what I spent.
For more information about the CPSIA, read up at Z Recommends and The Smart Mama and of course on the CPSC website.
(Filed under foraging.)
Updated to add a response to the question of whether this is a national law:
Yes, this is a national law intended to keep lead out of children’s products. In theory it is good because it requires testing of children’s products.
The problem is that it will negatively impact the handmade toy cottage industry because they in most cases cannot afford to test their products. Some testing can cost as much as $4000 per product.
I know that some companies, such as Lilly Bean Market, use only materials that have already been tested and certified to make the end product. But this is not good enough under the new law.
Also, one interpretation of the law is that anyone who sells children’s products, even if they are second hand, will have to comply. So businesses such as Salvation Army and Good Will could be forced to comply. They obviously cannot test all of the products donated to them. This law would also affect consignment stores in the same way.
The news article that was linked states the the government will exempt one-of-a-kind items. If that is true, then second hand items/sellers would be exempt.
I know that a lot of mom-owned and boutique businesses are trying to sell off merchandise quickly before the law takes affect because the law includes existing merchandise. And I can tell from comments on Twitter and posts on blogs of mompreneurs that they are scared that they will have to close their doors.
I urge parents to follow the links I gave and read up on the issue and consider how it will affect the way you shop. I know for our family if we were unable to buy second hand clothing and some toys, then it would put a financial burden on us. We are able to purchase gently used and sometimes new name brand clothing at about 30% of the original price tag.
