Feb
19
2009
CPSIA - Well, February 10th has passed
By Patricia Ivanisevic
Dear Blog,
This is a sort of re-blog of this article from Etsy which I suggest you read:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-its-february-10th-so-now-what-3413/
So it looks like that some materials are exempt.....
So some of us will be ok after all, what it is not clear to me if this must be added into the law or not. Next step it seems to be to contact the manufacturer of the stuff, in my case, yarn and go from there. I had been reading Etsy forums on the matter and some sellers have concerns because the yarn manufacturers are not responding or they said that they will not be testing.
Oh well! Still very confusing. We will figure this out.
Bye,
Patricia
P.S.: My next post will be about something else, I need a new tune.
This is a sort of re-blog of this article from Etsy which I suggest you read:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-its-february-10th-so-now-what-3413/
So it looks like that some materials are exempt.....
The following materials are known by the CPSC to be inherently lead-free or are exempt, and can be used in their untreated/unpainted state without any risk of sanction or penalties by the Commission.
- Precious gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire or emeralds
- Semiprecious stones provided that the mineral or material is not based on lead and is not associated with any mineral based on lead
- Natural or cultured pearls
- Wood
- Other natural materials including coral, amber, feathers, fur, and untreated leather
- Surgical steel
- Gold, of at least 10 karats
- Silver, at least 925/1000 pure
- Platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium
- Yarn, dyed or undyed
- Dyed or undyed textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, nylon, etc.), including children’s fabric products, such as baby blankets, and non‐metallic thread and trim. This does not include products that have rhinestones or other ornaments that may contain lead or that have fasteners with possible lead content (such as buttons, metal snaps, zippers or grommets).
- Children’s books printed after 1985 that are conventionally printed and intended to be read, as opposed to used for play
- Certain educational materials, such as chemistry sets
The Commission has also provided limited exclusions for products containing component parts that contain lead in excess of the 600ppm limit, specifically:
- Components that are not accessible, that is cannot be reached by a small child’s finger or tongue. Paint and other coatings or electroplating are not considered barriers that make a component inaccessible.
- Components of electronics devices intended for children that cannot be made inaccessible and cannot currently be made with a lead level that meets the limit.
So some of us will be ok after all, what it is not clear to me if this must be added into the law or not. Next step it seems to be to contact the manufacturer of the stuff, in my case, yarn and go from there. I had been reading Etsy forums on the matter and some sellers have concerns because the yarn manufacturers are not responding or they said that they will not be testing.
Oh well! Still very confusing. We will figure this out.
Bye,
Patricia
P.S.: My next post will be about something else, I need a new tune.
Feb
05
2009
CPSIA - We need help!
By Patricia Ivanisevic
Dear Blog,
Today I received this email from the Handmade Toy Alliance:
"Thank you for your continued support to Save Small Business from the CPSIA. It has been an active week. A stay of enforcement was issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Friday, January 30th. Although it has stayed enforcement of many provisions of the law, the CPSC has made it clear that they lack authority to fully correct the CPSIA. Urge Congress to provide the CPSC with guidance that will protect toymakers, thrift resellers, publishers, and clothing manufacturers from the unintended consequences of the CPSIA. A technical amendment, the CPSIA Regulatory Relief Bill, will be introduced on the Senate floor soon. It is important that we gain Senate support for this necessary legislation. Here's what you can do:
Today I received this email from the Handmade Toy Alliance:
"Thank you for your continued support to Save Small Business from the CPSIA. It has been an active week. A stay of enforcement was issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Friday, January 30th. Although it has stayed enforcement of many provisions of the law, the CPSC has made it clear that they lack authority to fully correct the CPSIA. Urge Congress to provide the CPSC with guidance that will protect toymakers, thrift resellers, publishers, and clothing manufacturers from the unintended consequences of the CPSIA. A technical amendment, the CPSIA Regulatory Relief Bill, will be introduced on the Senate floor soon. It is important that we gain Senate support for this necessary legislation. Here's what you can do:
- Call your Senator (switchboard: 202-224-3121).
- Identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak with the Senator or the staff assistant who follows Commerce issues.
- Ask him/her to co-sponsor the CPSIA Regulatory Relief Legislation, and tell them if they have questions about the legislation they can contact Tom Jones in Senator DeMint’s DC office at 202-224-6121. Tom’s email address is tom_jones@commerce.senate.gov
- Ask them to vote for the CPSIA Regulatory Relief legislation when it comes to the Senate floor, possibly as an amendment to the stimulus package as has been rumored.
- Get five friends to do steps 1-4.
We need to show strong support of this amendment in order to get the Senate to pass it. To read the specifics of the amendment, go to:
We have also made strides in our intiative at change.org. We are in the final stages of teaming with a non profit agency and going forward with our national campaign to save small businesses. There is a new petition that you can sign and send a letter to Congress. To see the petition, go to: http://www.change.org/ideas/4203/view_action/tell_congress_to_save_small_business . Our blog posts have also begun. View these at: http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia .
Thank you again for your support. Our grassroots campaign would never have gotten as far as it has without the support of people like you.
www.handmadetoyalliance.org
"
In addition to this, Etsy posted a similar article yesterday. You can find it at:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/message-from-senator-demint-call-your-senators-about-the-cps-3370/
I was going to call, however I decide to try an email first. The senator for Texas is John Cornyn
I went to Contact and sne t an email, I will wait a few days and then call if I do not get any response.
Bye for now,
Patricia
Thank you again for your support. Our grassroots campaign would never have gotten as far as it has without the support of people like you.
www.handmadetoyalliance.org
"
In addition to this, Etsy posted a similar article yesterday. You can find it at:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/message-from-senator-demint-call-your-senators-about-the-cps-3370/
I was going to call, however I decide to try an email first. The senator for Texas is John Cornyn
I went to Contact and sne t an email, I will wait a few days and then call if I do not get any response.
Bye for now,
Patricia
Jan
31
2009
CPSIA - The saga continues
By Patricia Ivanisevic
Today was released a one year stay on the testing. You can find the Press Release at:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
Finally, some good news!
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09115.html
Finally, some good news!
Jan
28
2009
CPSIA - Do something about it!
By Patricia Ivanisevic
Let's kick 2009 with something meaningful....
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.
Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.
The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.
How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:
To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.
To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322
To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.
To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.
To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.
To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.
To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html
To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.
To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.
If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html
And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.
Nov
19
2008
I'm horrible
By Patricia Ivanisevic
Dear Blog,
I will be honest with you. I need a break from you since I'm really busy and I cannot dedicate you any quality time. I'm not breaking up with you but let's take a vacation from each other. In any case, I may change my mind tomorrow but just in case you know where I stand.
I still love you.
Patricia
I will be honest with you. I need a break from you since I'm really busy and I cannot dedicate you any quality time. I'm not breaking up with you but let's take a vacation from each other. In any case, I may change my mind tomorrow but just in case you know where I stand.
I still love you.
Patricia