CPSIA Stopped For One Year
We've been talking a lot about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act here lately. The act, which requires chemical testing on children's items could have a huge impact on small producers, crafters and even resale shops. Yesterday the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted unanimously to put a one year stay on the implementation of the CPSIA. The time will be spent making the Act more detailed, specific and understandable. Here are the details:
"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."
Everyone breathe a sigh of relief. Handmade children's items are safe for another year and it appears the CPSC was listening to the little guys on this one.













