CPSC Grants One Year Stay on Testing Requirements

(taken from Etsy)

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously
(2-0) to issue a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers of regulated products, including products intended for children 12 years old and younger. These requirements are part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which added certification and testing requirements for all products subject to CPSC standards or bans.

Significant to makers of children’s products, the vote by the Commission provides limited relief from the testing and certification requirements which go into effect on February 10, 2009 for new total lead content limits (600 ppm), phthalates limits for certain products (1000 ppm), and mandatory toy standards, among other things. Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.
The decision by the Commission gives the staff more time to finalize four proposed rules which could relieve certain materials and products from lead testing and to issue more guidance on when testing is required and how it is to be conducted.
The stay will remain in effect until February 10, 2010, at which time a Commission vote will be taken to terminate the stay.

YAY!!!!!!

Goodbye Handmade, Hello Detroyed Economy

Check out this GREAT post about the ramifications about the new laws that take effect on Feb 10th. Even if you are already well informed it will still shock you!

And while we are talking about handmade here is my newest product: a yoga mat tote!!! (Thank goodness it isn't meant for kids!)

Surf's Up Saturday- Soon to be Illegal Toys

For this addition of Surf's Up Sunday I decided to feature toys made by fellow Etsians. With the Feb 10th deadline approaching faster and faster the atmosphere on Etsy is very mixed. Some sellers are resigned to getting rid of all their beautiful creations as quickly as possible while others are giving the government the big F*U and sticking to their guns, ready to fight. I have heard a lot of sellers becoming very depressed as selling handmade toys is their passion and income and I am sorry that I cannot feature them all. No matter what there will always be parents who appreciate and look for beautfully made handmade toys and other items for their kids.

Just click on a pick to be directed to each shop!

**Make sure to come back tomorrow for this month's giveaway!!**

Wonderful Children's Products on the brink of Extinction

Thanks to the new laws mandated by the CPSIA here is just a taste of the wonderful handmade products that will dissapear once the legislation takes effect on Feb 10th. There is still action that can be taken. Go here for more information now!!!!
Most people think that this just affects toys, but these new laws will take down ANYONE who sells ANYTHING geared toward kids 12 and younger. That includes vintage books like Curious George, gently used clothes on Ebay, even clothing donations to charities.
There is not much time, and something needs to be done and fast. I have included a list of things you can do to help on the side. If you don't want to have to buy your kids mass produced, plastic, foreign made EVERYTHING than please do something and let your opinions be heard!!!