Can I Get an Amen!?!

While checking out some crafting blogs tonight, I came across this article from CRAFT Magazine's blog:

CPSIA lead-testing law is delayed

This law, though well-intentioned, had me very nervous. For those of you who don't understand what it means, the gist of the law is that all products, from toys to clothing, that a baby or child (under 12, I believe) might use have to be tested for safe levels of lead. As mentioned, the law has good intentions. No one wants children to suffer the consequences of lead poisoning, and this is a wonderful step in the right direction of protecting children.

However, as written the law is very broad and written in vague terms, and because of this the law would adversely affect people for whom it was not intended. It was written mainly to target large scale producers of children's products, mostly overseas (China), who had been producing items with an exorbitant amounts of lead, which forced numerous recalls. Because of the law's vagueness it was to be applied to all producers, from giant corporations to small mom-and-pop ventures and parents who make handmade goods.

The lead testing would not have been a huge deal to a large company like Mattel who has enough money to cover the costs and still make a huge profit. It would be a huge deal to a small establishment like, say, a stay-at-home mom making children's barrettes in her spare time to supplement her income. The cost of testing each and every component of her product (which, as written in the law, is a requirement) would be far too expensive for this type of producer and would far outweigh and even eliminate any profits that stood to be made.

I do not at the time produce any sort of goods of this nature for sale, nor do I purchase a lot of handmade goods for my daughter, but I would like to increase the amount of handmade goods for Livers in the future. The things lovingly produced by smaller companies and indiviuals are far more unique and have more character than the mass produced ones of larger companies (in my opinion), and I wouldn't like this option removed for myself or anyone. We are a nation who believes in the American dream, and this law would have squashed that for A LOT of people.

The law is by no means repealed, but time has been bought for the handmade movement to see possible modifications to it that would still make the choice to go handmade profitable and possible for those who go that route.

As an aside, I have been spending more and more time recently on Etsy, a large handmade site, for ideas of things I can do and for things I can purchase for myself and family, and I was starting to see things like this creep up:

CRAYON LISTING ON ETSY


In case the above link is removed:


"Beginning February 10th, 2009 the Consumer Product Saftey Improvement Act (CPSIA) will require that each and every item intended for children under the age of 12 be tested for lead and phthalates. Congress is enforcing the belief that ALL children's items are toxic until proven otherwise. This includes clothing, bedding, toys, jewelry, car seats, etc.

The cost of this testing is astronomical and will decimate the handmade/small business community unless the act is reformed. We believe in protecting our children. With a few small changes this law can be effective AND practical!

♦This adorable set of 6 crayons (composed of 4 regular crayons each) is broken down in the following way:

24 components x $70 = $1680 for Lead testing
24 components x $350 = $8400 for Phthalates testing
Cost of original set: $4.95
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Grand total: $10,084.95

Please help save handmade! For more information visit: http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥
Based on availability you may receive six of the following: Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Blues, Purples, Browns, or Black/Grays.

Each crayon:
♦ Is made with 4 Crayola® crayons
♦ Can be made in any color combination!
♦ Measures approx. 1½" x ½", the perfect size for little fingers!!

Your set will arrive packaged in a clear cello bag ready for gift-giving, or for the perfect rainy day treat for your little one!

These would also be prefect as a healthy alternative to candy for school valentine's! Simply use a contrasting color to write each child's name on a crayon. The possibilities are endless!

♥If you would like your order customized in any way please contact me! I am happy to individually wrap each crayon for a nominal fee. Larger quantities are available.♥

Each crayon is handcrafted, actual product may vary slightly! Children under 3 should be supervised to prevent choking."

* * * * *

Though this looks like a joke--who would ACTUALLY pay $10000 for a bunch of handmade crayons?--if the law had gone in effect on February 10th as intended, this would be the price the producer would've HAD to have charged for his product in order to have made a profit recouping the cost of lead testing.

My sincere hope is that in the next year lawmakers can spring into action and make the necessary adjustments to this law that would allow it to still target corporations who produce shady products while protecting the small-scale producer (and consumer).