Our Voices Were Heard (At Least for Now!)

A STAY OF EXECUTION

Great news!

Exerpted from the CPSC Press Release:

CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously (2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger.

The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission.

The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

A huge thank you to everyone who signed the petition and who raised their voices in regards to amending this law!!! However, the last line states that our work is not done!! But we do have a year to create, sell as well as convince the CPSC to save handmade!!!

Click here if you'd like to read the etsy notice which also prints the press release in full.

CPSIA Petition

Please consider adding your name to this petition in regards to amending the CPSIA law. You can also send an e-mail with the content provided to declare your desire for a closer look at this law's details. You do not need to be a member of MomsRising to sign or send this petition and/or e-mail. It doesn't get much easier than that to give an opinion. And if there are enough of us--our opinion WILL count! Your involvement will mean a LOT to a lot of people!!! Thanks!

Sign petition here.

More on the CPSIA

Check out this great link to a blog I follow with more discussions on the issue. It is worthwhile to check out the blog she previously wrote that she references.

http://newenglandquilter.blogspot.com/2009/01/cpsia-blog-in-january-28-2009.html

Save Handmade, Amend the CPSIA!!!

There is a new law due to be enforced on Februrary 10th called the CPSIA. This is a VERY important law which came about after so many toys were found tainted with lead. This law requires a great deal of testing for any product (including clothing) made for children 12 and under. Yay, let's keep our kids safe!!

BUT--this law is having unintended consequences. Many people who handmake items for children will no longer be able to do so due to the expensive testing requirement. While this might be fine for Mattel, Grandpa Bob who makes toy trains out of wood in his basement because he loves to see children smile can no longer do this (well, he can make them, but can't pass them out!). MANY shops on etsy have had to close their doors, or about to due to this law and being unable to afford testing (which includes items such as handknit mittens, which are not typically found to contain lead!). With the way the economy is going, it seems to be a backwards decision.

It needs to be amended!

Here are a couple of great links to learn more...

http://blog.buyhandmade.org/

And this can not only give you more information, but give you an idea of how to take action to save handmade!

http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/CPSIA-Etsy-Resources.pdf

Besides really feeling for those who have to close their shops, and those of us that will miss out on some wonderful, delightful handcrafted items, this does directly affect me. Later this year I was planning on opening shop on some name art that I have been making for years for friends and relatives. My father, who has handmade the frames and cut the mats for my artwork, has been teaching my husband and I to take it over to handle (hopefully!) a higher volume.

Sadly, this dream of mine may never take place if this law is not amended--because even though it is to be hung on a wall, not to even really be touched by a child (even though the paint I use IS non-toxic!), it is included in this blanket law. And my dream is only one of many that will be defeated.