Have you heard of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act??? It sounds like something that would be a great thing... but let's take a closer look before we decide, OK? Take a look at this article in the LA Times... a tidbit from that article helps us realize the major repercussions this new legislation will have...
"The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead."
This means that the handmade goods, such as children's toys and clothing, made by Work-at-home Parents, will not be able to be sold to the general public without this testing. How many of these folks do you think will be able to get their products tested? How realistic is that?
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all gung-ho about getting mass produced products tested to make sure they're safe for our children, but the whole reason most people buy handmade crafts is to have something that is healthier and locally made for their personal use.
Think about some of the products that will be effected: handmade Waldorf dolls, those great cardigans you love to get at the Craft shows, solid hand carved wood trucks and blocks, cloth diapers, hand painted wooden puzzles, ceramic buttons that you sew onto your hand knitted sweaters, even the hand knitted chemo cap you made for the children's hospital would have to be tested and verified before any children could touch it.
Currently the most vocal advocates for changing this legislation has been those who own thrift stores and consignment shops. Nearly everything they are trying to sell will have to be sent to the landfill. Most of these types of stores would go out of business. Lets get the word out from the crafting community too!
Please do what you can to help change this legislation. Please visit the SaveHandmade site. Check out the great links and ideas they have for helping. Do what you can to help save handmade items in the USA!
1 comment:
Em, I am not sure where she found out but Sarabeth found out this will not effect consignment sales and resale stores. I am not sure about the home made things but she was pretty upset about this and did a bunch of research so check with her. She secided it wasn't as all that bad.
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