- That means retailers and manufacturers who sell untested children's merchandise would technically be in violation of the new law starting Feb. 10. Whether federal regulators will enforce the rules -- which might entail inspections at thousands of secondhand stores and toy shops across the country -- is another question.
Basically what is happenning is the CPSC is looking at exempting clothing, toys with lead that cannot be reached by children, toys that are impossible to make without lead and "other goods made of natural materials such as cotton and wood."
There is a lot of speculation that the CPSIA will not be enforced with regards to smaller companies. My fear with this is the backlash that will occur should there be another lead scare. Can't you picture it? Someone brings their child in with symptoms of lead poisoning. They have a bunch of toys with current certificates and a few toys bought "illegally" without certification. Which toys will be jumped on as the culprits? Even if proven not to be the source of the lead, the hanmade/small-company toys will suffer a serious public relations blow. And that isn't even getting into how unfair this law is towards smaller manufacturers and retailers. (Oooh, she's showing that Libertarian bent again!)
In the end it is up to us to make certain that our government knows what we want. Senator Diane Feinstein's office recently told a caller that there are no plans to revise it unless there is significant constituent demand. So call, write and email and demand revision!
The Hon. Henry A. Waxman
Chairman Committee on Energy and Commerce
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Hon. Joe Barton
Ranking Member
Committee on Energy and Commerce
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Hon. Bobby Rush
Chairman Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade
and Consumer Protection
2125 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
The Hon. Ed Whitfield
Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade
and Consumer Protection
2322-A Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
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