Save Handmade and Second-Hand!- Updated
By michelle | January 9, 2009
Have you heard about the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)?
Here is a great article from the LA Times.
A Clarification has been made today! (Thanks, Rebecca)
This Act could dramatically change the lives of those who sell handmade and second-hand children’s items.
When I first heard about this a few days ago, my mind immediately went to the lovely lady who makes my cloth diapers. She is a hard-working lady with EIGHT children, and the CPSIA will make it very difficult for her. I also began to think about all the wonderful second-hand children stores in our town. These are places where you can get namebrand clothes and items for a fraction of the price. And my experience with stores like this in my area have been incredibly positive. The items are clean and in wonderful shape. The owners of these stores are already doing their very best to provide clean and safe clothing and toys for children.
Ways that you can help:
-Find your congress person and senators and write a letter like the sample here.
Particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business.
-Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923
-Vote for amending the law on Change.org: With enough votes it will be presented to President Obama in January!
4 Comments
Elizabeth on January 9, 2009 at 9:25 am.
Wow. This is really bad! We need our thrift and consignment stores! I read the LA times article and agree that this appears to be too rushed and unfair to a lot of stores.
Of course toxins are an issue, but sweeping reforms are not always the best answer…
Rebeca on January 9, 2009 at 11:58 am.
I’ve been really worked up about this one too, and what it means for all the small businesses like your friend’s. I did read this clarification, though, that says retailers of used items are not required to comply, so the thrift and second hand sellers will not be affected. http://cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Thanks for the links on what we can do about it.
So glad your mom is showing some improvement! I prayed for her this morning.
Love,
Rebeca
Carmine on January 9, 2009 at 2:39 pm.
thanks for sharing the article. It’s interesting, because it’s a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Good that they are trying to keep children safe from lead and toxins, but bad at the expense of consignment shops which help the community and people in need. There’s gotta be some way to compromise?
::Sylvia:: on January 11, 2009 at 8:50 am.
I am sooo upset about this! I posted about this last week as well. I hope people are contacting their elected officials!