Updated: Second hand toys and clothes are in trouble

[MrsPinecone]

Since HCW is all about saving money and supporting small business ventures, I am making sure that as many people know about this as possible. I am also disgusted by the negative environmental impact that this will have.

This post is borrowed from DomerJenC on the Nest, because she said it so well.

I'm trying to raise awareness about the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which goes into effect on February 10, 2009. It's supposed to protect consumers from harmful chemicals being found in childrens goods (pthalates and lead, for example), but the way the law is written it includes anyone who sells used or handmade items, as well. The testing would cost several hundred to a few thousand dollars PER ITEM, making it impossilbe for thrift stores and places like Etsy sellers to comply to the law.

If you are interested in this topic, you can read more about it here or here.

How You can Help (from this blog):

Please write to your United States Congress Person and Senator to request changes in the CPSIA to save handmade toys. Use the sample letter or write your own. You can find your Congress Person here and Senator here .

It only takes a minute, and the effects really are far reaching. You won't be able to legally sell, consign, or donate your own children's clothes under this law.

[MrsPinecone]

Just to clarify, this will prevent the resale of children's items at places like thrift and consignment stores, and on online sites like ebay.

No getting rid of that Gymboree stuff that you justified because you could resell it on ebay.

No using the money you earned on consignment for the next season of clothes for your kids.

No selling items that you have made, unless you pay for the safety testing.

I am really surprised that I hadn't heard of this before (OK, I have a new baby... maybe I am not so shocked, but you know what I mean.)

[Brea]

Just signed The Handmade Toy Alliance Petition,
Save Handmade Toys & Children's Products from the CPSIA


Wow....thats all I can I say.....

[Siageah]

i will need to look into this more, but I did read an article that stated that items are either one of a kind or if a store had only one item, therefore it was unique (like a lot of things in thrift stores) that this would not apply.

However, this is still a HUGE issue with childrens clothing and accessory crafters and small toy craftspeople.

Just to clarify, this will prevent the resale of children's items at places like thrift and consignment stores, and on online sites like ebay.

No getting rid of that Gymboree stuff that you justified because you could resell it on ebay.

No using the money you earned on consignment for the next season of clothes for your kids.

No selling items that you have made, unless you pay for the safety testing.

I am really surprised that I hadn't heard of this before (OK, I have a new baby... maybe I am not so shocked, but you know what I mean.)

[angeleyeza]

dont they realize that they would also put the salvation army stores out of biz. this is sad because they also help communitites/families everywhere this might break the economy worst if they do this

[loaslaen]

Shouldn't they have made those laws apply to the ones who manufactured the items NEW in the first place??? If these stupid companies hadn't outsourced the work to other countries like China, then we would have had more oversight and items would never have had lead in them in the first place.

[tdgirl]

That is ridiculous. I am beginning to wish I could move to another country and forget all about the U.S. government being run by big corporations (because you know they are behind laws like this.) I don't have a child, but I have nephews, nieces who rely on their parents being able to afford clothes and the only way to do that is thrift stores, etc. And whose to say that eventually this law will not be changed to include even adult clothing/items?

Why not just go ahead and put kids in a big plastic bubble? It is headed that way, with all of these ridiculous laws being passed to 'protect children.'

[kdphi_uh]

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

[MrsPinecone]

I reposted this in the In The Family Way forum, too. It's too important to ignore.

[Psmommy]

Shouldn't they have made those laws apply to the ones who manufactured the items NEW in the first place??? If these stupid companies hadn't outsourced the work to other countries like China, then we would have had more oversight and items would never have had lead in them in the first place.

I agree. Personally, I think they would be better off putting a ban on imports. If it can be made here, it should be made here. This would boost the economy by supplying more jobs, and bring back the old Made in America pride that used to be boasted so much!!!

Also, think about the negative impact on the environment if kid's clothes and toys can't be resold. How much of this stuff will end up in land fills!! There goes the whole green movement!