(1/30/09: After you read this post below, be sure to see the updated info here.)
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due
to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket.
While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to
use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them
for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies
(textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under
12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's
books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no
exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our
children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all. Here's the article from the American Library Association: http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due
to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction
manual so you can make it yourself since that children's item you originally
had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's
passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind item you were
hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making
one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So those awesome handmade presents you bought your kiddos this past holiday season won’t be available next
winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all
items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing
landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners,
but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it.
Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away.
If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due
to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair
of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for
second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all
together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due
to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your
unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small
businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing
and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state,
you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in
Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the
new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to
private collection and will no longer be available to purchase.
“Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on
the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.”
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already
struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the
American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs
and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The
required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses
or individuals to undertake. Here's the article in Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due
to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of
the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
Did you know about all of this? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
Download Etsy's CPSIA Action Kit here:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-action-kit-and-community-chat-3321/
Here's my super awesome kiddo Joey at the park rockin' a few of my handmade designs...a monster hoody and his new "Presidential Monsterlicious" jeans! Obama's on the left, and Biden's on the right. :D
What was Joey wearing underneath that monster hoody?
What else but a monster shirt!! :D
Our little family of 5 gathered around the television today at 11:30am to watch the Inauguration of the 44th U.S. President, Barack Hussein Obama.
The Hubbs Joe came home for lunch, and held baby Lily in his arms to watch the event. Joey said "That's President Obama!" and my little future architect stacked his blocks one on top of another to look like the Washington Monument, and his wooden Obama Air Force One airplane awaited playtime. Our pup Aleethea watched from her favorite spot, and I snapped probably way too many photos of the tv screen, and captured it all with the video camera.
Our new President's Inaugural address was beautiful as he stood and spoke from the very same place built by slaves. We stood quietly, and listened in awe. He began with:
"My fellow citizens, I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors."
Minutes later into the speech, these words hit home in our family:
"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."
As soon as he said the word "patchwork", an image of an Amy Butler patchwork quilt came to my mind. I can't help it, sewing is always on my mind.
And the last paragraph of his speech was so very inspiring:
"America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations."
You can read the full text of the speech here at msnbc.com.
And see the Inaugural Address here:
What's on the President's agenda now that Inauguration Day is over? Read this page about what our new President - an author of two bestsellers - plans to do for the Arts, Science, Child Advocacy, and also the areas devastated by Katrina.
The full Presidential agenda is here.
And you can get your kiddo a limited edition toy airplane, made in the USA, with a blue silk screen portrait of President Obama here.
Joey loves his airplane, he calls it "my Obama".
Welcome to the first EtsyBloggers blog carnival of 2009!
Who are the EtsyBloggers?
We are "The official Etsy team for those who love to blog about their craft, the creative process, and other Etsians." And as you may already know, I am the Admin & Team Leader of this very fab EtsyBloggers team!
What's a blog carnival?
Every two weeks, our team has an online event called a "Blog Carnival" which is a collection of blog posts on a common theme(s). This week, our teammates blogged about one of the following topics:
1) My New Year's resolution(s)...self explanatory.
- OR -
2) Blog about anything to do with the CPSIA Law of 2008. For example...Do
you know about the CPSIA? Have you already blogged about the CPSIA? If so
then you can also re-post your original blog post about it, or give us a link
to it. Let's keep talking and blogging about the CPSIA issue until it reaches
a resolution. Regardless of whether or not you make/sell products for Children
under 12, this new law will effect you, and effect all childlren. You can read one of my previous blog posts here for some
background info on this new law which will effect the future of handmade.
Thank you to all of my below listed teammates for participating in this edition of the EtsyBloggers blog carnival.
Now let's go read some (or all!) of the following posts!:
LazyT Crochet presents New Year, Thank Goodness! posted at LazyTcrochet.
We Are Wedges presents Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival: New Years Resolutions posted at WE ARE WEDGES.
Two Zany Zebras presents New Year Resolutions posted at Two Zany Zebras.
Ellen Behm presents Happy New Year!! posted at Down the Street Creations.
Alicia Mae presents Fight the CPSIA Law of 2008 posted at Crafts and Cooking.
Rose Works Jewelry presents Resolutions vs Goals posted at A Jedi's Musings
Brigid presents Crafty Resolutions posted at Grey Eye Designs studio.
MagdaleneJewels presents Carnival: The Atrocities of CPSIA posted at MagdaleneJewels's Blogs.
Stacey presents Did you know... posted at Elle Belle
Maureen Blakeley Impawsible To Resist presents Etsy Bloggers Blog Carnival for January 5, 2009 posted at Impawsible To Resist.
Terronda Clarke presents New Years Resolution - Not really - Blog Carnival posted at ~Unique Commodities~.
Mary Ann presents New Year’s Resolution 2009 posted at Morning Sky Jewelry and Creations.
julie marriott presents CPSIA LAW (100th Post) posted at Welcome To My World.
Melissa Sinisgalli presents What is the CPSIA all about? posted at Made By Melissa.
Angie A presents Angie's Crafts: Etsybloggers January 2 Carnival posted at Angie's Crafts.
Rainy presents RainyDayArt: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act posted at RainyDayArt.
Joey & Aleethea present our Christmas story & CPSIA posted at J o e y & A l e e t h e a.
Dayna Williamson presents CPSIA 2008 posted at Scottie Acres.
Jenni Brighton presents Why you should care about CPSIA posted at My Lil Etsy Shops:.
Jamie Hargis presents My 30th Sale & the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act posted at StampinMom.
Jo Hoffacker presents CPSIA Law of 2008 posted at Dogmaw Glass.
Nature Manipulated presents Mark Your Calendars, It's the New Year posted at Nature Manipulated - visual and wearable art.
Andrea presents Help Save Handmade Children's Items from the CPSIA posted at Rock-a-Baby Clothing Co..
Story Beader presents Etsybloggers Carnival: January 2, 2009 posted at Stroll Through Storyland
Home Made Originals presents Looking Forward to the New Year posted at Home Made Originals.
TiLT creations presents So it's the new year... posted at Crafts, kids, home and life.
And remember, if you don't have much time today to read these posts, you can always come back here to this page tomorrow or the next day...and go check out your teammates blogs!
Why? Because EtsyBloggers ROCK!!!
And if you feel like shopping instead of reading, then you can shop at our talented team members shops on Etsy, via our tag "etsybloggers team" here.
Would you like to be an EtsyBlogger?
**********************************************
Got a blog?
Love Etsy?
Check us out! http://etsybloggers.com
**********************************************
Technorati tags: etsybloggers, blog carnival, CPSIA, CPSIA Law, handmade, vintage, 2009, New Year Resolutions.
Over the past couple of days, I've received a bunch of eMails from my lovely lurkers quiet blog followers -- and I say that lovingly -- and also from my Etsy friends and customers -- with so many questions about my most recent blog post where I mentioned the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
Most of those questions I could not answer and wouldn't even consider speculating upon. Questions such as who and what will be effected by this new law, questions asking me to clarify and confirm your own interpretations of the law. Although I fully understand your concerns because I share those same concerns, let me start by saying this...
I am not a lawyer, and would never pretend to be one.
Also, I am not an alarmist, and prefer to seek solutions rather than add to chaos. That being said, had I immediately attempted to answer your questions, as Joey & Aleethea your fellow Etsy seller, your favorite designer who owns your favorite handmade children's boutique, :) your blogland friend, and also as your EtsyBloggers Admin and Team Leader...I would've been causing more confusion rather than clarity. And that's just not how I roll.
So, as a more general response, and to save you from the research which has kept me awake lately (even more than usual), here's the info in a nutshell:
Earlier this year the US Congress passed the CPSIA, and on August 14th 2008, President Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act into law. That sentence alone is scary enough. My first thought was January 20th just cannot arrive soon enough.
So what exactly is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act?
The CPSIA of 2008 will effect everyone who makes items for children under the age of 12, and everyone who buys products for children under the age of 12. In order to be in compliance with the new law, costly third-party testing and certification would be required for all products for children under 12, stating these items are lead-free and phthalates-free. This would apply to all products inclusive of handmade items, vintage items, and any items made - either for sale or for free - for children (other than your own) under the age of 12.
As simplified as I tried to write those sentences...can you imagine who and what that encompasses? Think about that for a moment.
Yeah, pretty much everyone.
Pretty ridiculous, yes?
That's why each and every one of us need to do something about this well-intentioned...yet not well-thought out law.
Etsy has written this open letter entitled "Handmade Children's Items & Unintended Consequences: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act". It's imperative that you read it, you can find it here.
Thank you to my commenter on my previous post who said "It is actually public law 110-314'', -- not PL 110-787. Interestingly enough, that commenter pointed to a website by the name of National Bankruptcy Day which apparently was started because of this ridiculous yet very real Law. Scary again, yes? Yeah I know, sorry. But it happens to be a blog that I've been reading lately. That blog began on Nov. 23rd, and their first post was to introduce a location to track this whole mess issue, and it serves as very informational. Kudos to them. There are several helpful links on that website's right-side column. Their blog headline reads "February 10, 2009 untold numbers of children's products manufacturers and retailers will be closing their doors."
Want to read exactly what this Act entails? Here's the CPSIA FAQ - but fair warning - it's a head spinner - and will undoubtedly raise more questions and concerns. Personally, I'm staying away from it from now on. I consider this link to you...my closure on that document: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.pdf
Take action right now by being informed and contacting your representatives.
My suggestion is this...
1) Read the Etsy article/open letter
2) Follow the links they provide in that article to contact your representative.
3) Blog about this. Talk about this. Share this with everyone you know that has a child, or that ever was a child.
4) Blog about this. Yes, this must be stressed. Blog about this. Not just today, but tomorrow too. You don't need to write a whole lot about it, you just need to share the info, or a feeling, or point to my blog. Whatever you feel you should do, just do it. Share a link. Mention it. Blog.
5) Last but certainly not least, share your story via a simple form on the website of the Office of the President-Elect, Barack Obama.
Why am I telling you to follow my suggestion and tell Obama?
Well...do you think this needs to be changed?
How many of you actually think this is something Barack Obama would support?
Part of me wants to say the heck with the middleman...let's take it to the top...I feel like we need a hero right now!!
Like Gotham City is in trouble again, with the Joker doing yet one more thing against the people.
W h e r e ' s B a t m a n ? ?
photo by the inspirational
abby ladybug
And whether or not you comment here, thank you for feedback - in whatever way you get it to me, thank you for reading my blog, and thank you for joining me in doing something about the CPSIA.
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