Ok, gang, we all know that charity crafting is near and dear to my heart. However, there's a movement going on that i just became aware of, that may put it in jeopardy for me.
This legislation will prohibit the sale of children's products without costly, intensive testing. This just might be the the straw that breaks the camel's back for so many people. All those WAHMs who do small things to help supplement their income making simple things for children from safe products who can't afford this kind of testing.
i know i'm being kind of incoherent, but this pisses me off so much i can't stand it!
why not have the suppliers of the materials (who usually do this in massive quantities) sustain the costs of the testing, rather than making each individual do it, and drive them out of business. Admittedly, it will drive up the cost of the materials, and maybe cause these companies to cut back on some of their inventories, but i'm sure most of the people buying for their own businesses could increase their prices as well, and still be able to be IN business. one $500 test for a material that the company sells 10,000 pieces for breaks down to FIVE CENTS per item.
FIVE CENTS, people. where as Judy's Baby Binkies (hypothetical here, folks) may only make $500 a month on her blankets.
i know, this act is in response to the toy recalls of the last few years, but those were from toys manufactured OUTSIDE THIS COUNTRY. (lookin' at you, China!). What this legislation will do is drive the toy-makers (and other kids' items crafters) who people turned to when all those toys were recalled out of business. Which turns us BACK to those SOB's who weren't using safe practices with our children in the first place!
Anyway, go. check the link out. follow some of the suggestions made. I'm definitely going to write to my congressmen.
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7 comments:
I sent letters to all of my congressman when I first heard about this a couple weeks ago. It's an outrage! I fear that my friend's father will no longer be able to make my nephew's favorite giant wooden trucks...
Keep up the good work! I don't doubt this nonsense will be rolled back and more sensible regulations enacted in its stead.
There may be some hope - I have read that there is a movement afoot to exempt "traditional" materials like wax-finished wood, wool, cotton, and the like from this testing - the idea being that there are a number of small American companies turning out "safe" toys (compared to some of the ones caught up in last year's lead paint scandal) who would be put out of business by the testing legislation.
I think what they need to do is like the FDA does: have something akin to a GRAS list ("Generally Recognized as Safe") and as long as a maker can certify that only materials from that list are used, no testing needed. (I do think that the megacorporations, especially those who import from overseas and use materials like the newer plastics, that have less of a track record, probably do need testing)
The problem is, people see a problem and there is a knee-jerk reaction to "fix" it, without much sensible thought - just like the move to "end childhood obesity" by banning birthday cupcakes from the schools.
I love what you've said here - I've linked to it in my blog and I've got letters going out today. Thank you!
Here's an update:
http://www.kval.com/news/37241774.html
It looks like the "natural materials" exemption is going to go through. Good news, at least for people who make cotton/wool/wood toys.
Oh, and get this: apparently most of the testing facilities? Are in China.
Fox guarding the henhouse, much?
Craftzine has a little on about this today.
Hey, did you see this:
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2009/01/cpsia_leadtesting_law_is_delay.html
It's been pushed back for a year to give them time to study and work things out! Whoo-hoo!
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