Toy manufacturers are already concerned about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which was passed by Congress last year after a flood of toy recalls involving lead and other dangerous chemicals. The legislation requires toy manufacturers to test their products for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to soften plastic, before they are allowed on store shelves. Children’s products will also have to be tested for small parts that could become choking hazards. The new rules will be phased in over the first few months of 2009.
What the CPSIA Does
According to the CPSIA Web site, the new legislation:
- Lowers the amount of lead that is allowed in children’s products.
- Increases the range of products that require testing and certification.
- Imposes a third-party testing requirement for all consumer products intended for children 12 years or younger.
- Requires manufacturers to provide a tracking label on their products. The label must include the source of the product, the date of manufacture, and other important information.
- Permanently prohibits three phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) in concentration of more than 0.1 percent in “children’s toys” or “child care articles.”
The CPSIA and Home-Based Business
Parents who run home-based businesses will be forced to do expensive testing on their products, in some cases as high as $4,000 per toy. Small business owners from around the country are writing letters to Congress asking for exemptions to the law, saying it is too reactionary and broad. Many small businesses are concerned they will have to choose between going out of business and breaking the law.
The Handmade Toy Alliance, an alliance of toy stores and manufacturers “who want to preserve unique handmade toys, clothes, and all manner of children's goods in the USA,” has developed a Web site and sample letter encouraging consumers to contact Congress about exempting certain manufacturers from the testing requirements.
The CPSIA and Children
Some believe the new law will essentially prohibit small, handmade toys from being made in the United States, because these small retailers will not be able to afford the testing. As a result, opponents to the legislation feel that children will actually become less safe because the toy market will be dominated by large toy manufacturers in China.
The CPSIA and Parents
The overwhelming majority of parents do not feel the law will do much to help protect their children. While most parents are glad to see the government taking action to reduce the harmful chemicals in children’s toys, they feel the new legislation is a knee-jerk reaction that will ultimately hurt the U.S. toy market and drive small toymakers and retailers out of business.
What Parents Can Do About the CPSIA
Parents who are concerned about not being able to purchase natural, handmade children’s products made in the United States can contact their Congress Person or Senator or write to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Kari Lomanno - Kari Lomanno is a high school English teacher and mother of two children ages 9 and 7. She lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with her husband ...
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