Updated: Second hand toys and clothes are in trouble

[crop til ya drop]

I just got this email from a local children's clothing resale shop...

Dear Customers,
We recently received great news from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). In a significant reversal, the CPSA has announced that all your children’s products will not become hazardous waste on February 10th! This is a victory for families, for the environment, and for resale shops like Kid to Kid.
In August, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA); a law designed to protect our children by reducing the amount of lead and phthalates in all children’s products, and requiring 3rd party testing to certify the safety of all products. cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
On January 10th, the CPSC clarified how the law will affect resellers and families with used children’s products. From the statement –
“The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.”
“The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content… Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.”
We always have been, and will continue to be committed to buying and selling product that meets the standards supplied to us by the CPSC.
Kid to Kid will continue to be a trusted and convenient place for you to buy safe, top quality, new and gently used children’s merchandise. We’re still buying the best things kids outgrow, and welcome the opportunity to help you recycle the things your kids no longer need. As always, you can choose cash or 20% more in store credit to purchase things your kids need.
We love having the opportunity to serve the families in the community where we live and work and hope to see you in our store again soon.
Sincerely,
Shauna Sloan
Kid to Kid Franchise System


Looks like everything is fine then!!!!

[tmsmalley]

Here's an article on the clarification as posted today on CNN...

Secondhand Stores Escape Lead Law - Money News Story - WYFF Greenville

[lilymaid]

The fact that resale stores are exempt from testing each individual item is not news worth celebrating. If an item is purchased there that contains lead higher than the allowed threshold, not only will they be responsible for prison time, but they'll be slapped with a $100,000 fine as well.

I am very scared how far-reaching this law will be. I just recently became co-owner of a company that creates classic children's clothing, and we are now forced to stop production come Feb. 10th. As previous poster's have said, each component of your item for sale must be tested. So for a dress I make, I would have to test the fabric, elastic, thread, buttons, etc. And I make patchwork dresses! Each different fabric would have to be tested...

This law is absolutely ridiculous. The cloth diapering community is in an uproar. Rightfully so. There are no words to describe what I'm feeling. I am so very upset.

Jill
lilymaid

[LoveIsHE]

Unfortunately this is only a sample of crazy laws to come.

No kidding. Better put your seatbelt on! It's going to be a bumpy ride.

[castocreations]

I'm bumping this up because the issue is still going strong. They pushed the date back a year for the lead testing requirement but the court overruled the Committee on some other chemical testing and said it had to be retroactive.

The whole thing is INSANE and offensive. I hope that the grass roots can pull together enough influence to change this obscene law. I want to be able to buy handmade baby clothes and blankets when I have mine. I want to be able to get used clothing! I want the government out of my life!

[marrelam]

I didn't know there was this thread here.

Looks like we've got a couple of them going - so that means there's Lots of interest.

See comments here: Goodwill/Volunteers of America pulled all their childrens clothes/toys!!! and here: http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums...econdhand.html

[marrelam]

PLEASE WRITE TO YOUR CONGRESSMAN & SENATORS AND TELL THEM HOW THIS IS HURTING YOUR FAMILY AND YOU WANT THESE TYPES OF STORES AND SALES COMPLETELY EXEMPT.

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate: Senators Home

[meems]

I wrote Sharrod Idiot Brown...got a canned reply back that didn't acknowledge anything that I said & no way to hit reply.

[hiding57]

Here's a website where you can petition congress to repeal it. They also have information about why they are suggesting repealment.

https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/110

[marrelam]

Here's a website where you can petition congress to repeal it. They also have information about why they are suggesting repealment.

https://secure.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/110

This is great!!