Do you make hand made toys? Do you know what’s happening?
December 12, 2008 by Chloe Findlay-Harder
Filed under Home & Living
Do you make hand made toys, or sew softies – or heaven forbid – sell those toys? There’s a new law coming into effect that’s going to have serious consequences for you.
“In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public’s trust. They were selling toys with dangerously high lead content, toys with unsafe small part, toys with improperly secured and easily swallowed small magnets, and toys made from chemicals that made kids sick. Almost every problem toy in 2007 was made in China.
The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August, 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. “
What does that mean for you?
Each toy made must be tested for compliance with the new standards – to the tune of $4000 per toy – not a one time fee for the maker. Every new toy type will need a $4000 test. That means that if you make a series of 12 dolls, a representative from each type must be tested!
What are the consequences of ignoring the new laws?
Being forced out of business, operating illegally, jail time or fines…
What can you do?
The Handmade Toy Alliance is busy working to have the law modified to work with small, indie toy makers. You can join their group, write a letter to your congressman, sign an online petition, join their Facebook group or if you sell on Etsy, join their group.
image: Stock.xchg
