Cathe

I am posting this here because it is an update to the thread I started earlier. Hopefully there will be further exeptions that will affect quiltmakers and other textile workers! :D

GREAT NEWS for thrift stores

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8, 2009
Release #09-086 CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908



CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children’s Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February

Guidance Intended for Resellers of Children’s Products, Thrift and Consignment Stores

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) take effect. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with the new Congressionally-mandated laws. Beginning February 10, 2009, children’s products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children’s products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more that 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys.

Under the new law, children’s products with more than 600 ppm total lead cannot lawfully be sold in the United States on or after February 10, 2009, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit drops to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009.

The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.

When the CPSIA was signed into law on August 14, 2008, it became unlawful to sell recalled products. All resellers should check the CPSC Web site (www.cpsc.gov) for information on recalled products before taking into inventory or selling a product. The selling of recalled products also could carry civil and/or criminal penalties.

The agency intends to focus its enforcement efforts on products of greatest risk and largest exposure. While CPSC expects every company to comply fully with the new laws resellers should pay special attention to certain product categories. Among these are recalled children’s products, particularly cribs and play yards; children’s products that may contain lead, such as children’s jewelry and painted wooden or metal toys; flimsily made toys that are easily breakable into small parts; toys that lack the required age warnings; and dolls and stuffed toys that have buttons, eyes, noses or other small parts that are not securely fastened and could present a choking hazard for young children.
The agency has underway a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements. Please visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov for more information.

sewjoyce

Thanks for the update!!

I'm sure lots of people are breathing a LOT easier....

Shemjo

This made the front page of the Post-Dispatch here in St. Louis today. Focus was on resale shops.
Will keep looking for more info to make sure we hobbyists are okay, and home based buisness will not have to have individual products tested. This is another case of quicky laws being passed without regard to what will actually happen. Remember Nebraska's attemp to help newborn babies in danger!

sandpat

Thanks for the update Cathe!

tlrnhi

Thanks for the update. Now, what about those of us that do craft fairs? Hmmm......

mamatobugboo

thanks for sharing! I actually received a forwarded "panic" email yesterday regarding all this so will be more than happy to send this to the sender!

babeegirl

here is the story that ran in today's local Wichita paper
http://www.kansas.com/news/story/656850.html

triciasquilts

Thanks for sharing Cathe. I listed some baby receiving blankets that I had made on my ebay site last nite, and up popped a caution that they could be pulled because of that law. They haven't pulled them yet, so I think I'm safe.
I was kind of worried that I wouldn't be able to sell my baby quilts and blankets anymore and I have a couple of vendors involved in my craft market that were worried because of the things they make.
I'll have to send them what was written and they will be relieved too!

sandpat

Cathe...have you heard anything about this lately? I friend wants me to make a baby quilt and sell it to her....I'm nervous about it....what have ya'll heard?

pocoellie

Thanks for keeping us informed Cathe, if you hear anything about it affecting the crafters, please keep us informed.