BEWARE if You Sell Physical Items Targeted To CHILDREN

64 replies
Wow! I just read about this earlier today. While it's not a niche of mine, I wondered if anyone here would be impacted.

It's definitely a doozy.

On February 10 2009 a new law goes into effect for anyone selling physical items for children under the age of 13. Each item must be tested for lead content and you must provide a certificate showing the item has been tested and is safe.

From what I gather this new law covers any and everything that is for kids; games, toys, books, clothing, furniture, jewelry etc.

The new law also makes no distinction of new, imported, recycled or used items. They must all undergo testing.

If this is a niche you're involved with, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the new law as non-compliance is a felony with some very stiff fines per occurrence.

For more info go HERE
A good article can be found HERE
#beware #children #items #physical #sell #targeted
  • Profile picture of the author TLTheLiberator
    Thanks for the tip.

    Now I'm making sure I stay away for products aimed at kids.

    Digital products, especially affiliate products are for me.

    TL
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    • Profile picture of the author CWreports
      I don't know if you read the article I linked to, but I wondered about
      people who sell on Ebay or through classified ads who certainly won't
      be aware of this law. Amazon supposedly already has taken action and
      notified most of their suppliers.

      Like I said in the OP..it's a doozy.

      Carol


      Originally Posted by TLTheLiberator View Post

      Thanks for the tip.

      Now I'm making sure I stay away for products aimed at kids.

      Digital products, especially affiliate products are for me.

      TL
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  • Profile picture of the author Teresa Coppes
    While I completely agree that the safety of our kids should be of the utmost importance - the wording and dynamics of the new law will have disastrous consequences for a lot of companies whether big or small.

    Scary!
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    • Profile picture of the author CWreports
      Teresa,

      You're absolutely correct...it is scary.

      Another thing that stood out in the article concerned the libraries. They will have to certify or ensure certification of every book geared toward the under-13 age group.

      Carol

      Originally Posted by Teresa_C View Post

      While I completely agree that the safety of our kids should be of the utmost importance - the wording and dynamics of the new law will have disastrous consequences for a lot of companies whether big or large.

      Scary!
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        What about digital info products intended for children? I would presume that inkjet printers and paper would not be considered as being marketed to children and would thus not be tested, so if digital product sellers encourage parents to print out content on their home computers, would they incur any liability for encouraging the parents to do so on those untested items?
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        • Profile picture of the author CWreports
          You know what Dan? I really don't know the answer to your question. It's
          very possible that question was answered in the documentation provided
          at the official .gov site I linked to in the OP.

          But since you mentioned it somewhat...what about all those computers,
          printers and digital accessories that end up in schools or various training
          facilities. I'd certainly think they would have to be tested!!

          That's just another reason how this can be a detriment to a lot of businesses.

          Carol





          Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

          What about digital info products intended for children? I would presume that inkjet printers and paper would not be considered as being marketed to children and would thus not be tested, so if digital product sellers encourage parents to print out content on their home computers, would they incur any liability for encouraging the parents to do so on those untested items?
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  • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
    Blame China.

    The bad thing, this law wont stop foreign manufactures. They ignored the previous laws and will this one or forge tests.
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    • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
      This is just one more case of needless overkill.

      I would venture to guess that most people are not aware that many "laws" here in the States are written by lobbyists and rubber stamped by the legislators and their staffs.

      Hence, it is almost always about control and the redistribution of monies vs what is truly in the publics' best interest.

      One of the products sold on my website is a specialty butter that is made in Europe and imported into the States in bulk by one of my distributors. In order for me to ship that butter to Canada I have to provide the Canadian Customs agents with a certificate of good health for the calf from the doctor that oversaw the birth of the calf which now is grown and producing the milk the butter is made from.

      Needless to say, even though I sell a lot of that butter Stateside I don't ship it to our good friends up north.

      Sheesh...

      KJ
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by GarrieWilson View Post

      Blame China.

      The bad thing, this law wont stop foreign manufactures. They ignored the previous laws and will this one or forge tests.
      Exactly.

      Merchants will get blamed and once again must shoulder all the responsibility and associated costs (which will be passed to consumers) because of greedy and/or stupid manufacturers.

      Another shining example of our "brilliant" law makers directing new laws at the wrong people because of scumbags.

      It's another form of tax, cause I am sure there will be fines imposed for "offenders".

      Ridiculous...
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      • Profile picture of the author CWreports
        Mike,

        From the article

        How bad can the punishment be? For selling books? Up to $100,000 PER ITEM and up to five years in jail. It's also a felony. Get busted, you may lose your right to vote in some states. Even if you can fight it in court, you'll likely go broke doing so and your local newspaper will carry the headline "Local business selling lead tainted goods"... even though you know they aren't. Good luck getting them to print the retraction months or years later after that PR disaster.

        That kind of punishment could potentially wipe out a small business owner.


        Carol



        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Exactly.

        It's another form of tax, cause I am sure there will be fines imposed for "offenders".

        Ridiculous...
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  • Profile picture of the author scorpion896
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author Teresa Coppes
      Originally Posted by scorpion896 View Post

      Good why not put more safety into our kids?
      No one is disputing that there is a need to keep our kids safe. We're already in a recession (more like a depression actually) and because of how the law was worded it will begin a very rapid downward spiral for many companies - even if they were compliant all along.

      As another poster mentioned, who's to say that even if WalMart gets a certificate from a product made in China that it won't be forged?
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Vendilli
    Great post. Thanks for posting this, it's helpful to a lot of people.
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    I guess second hand stores will have to enact policies that no one under the age of 13 may buy or use their toys :-)

    If the law is really that broad and vague I think our lawmakers have been eating led based paint chips with their corn flakes.
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    • Profile picture of the author GarrieWilson
      Originally Posted by Josh Anderson View Post

      I guess second hand stores will have to enact policies that no one under the age of 13 may buy or use their toys :-)
      According to that article, that wont matter. They still can't sell it w/out a certificate because its geared towards children. They used a rare childrens book as an example.

      Think about antique toys.

      I know a woman who runs a big consignment sale once a year where people bring in kids clothes. Now she can't do that. Her normal business is a 2nd hand store for kids clothes. Use to be big bucks.
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  • Profile picture of the author CWreports
    Garrie
    Blame China.

    The bad thing, this law wont stop foreign manufactures. They ignored the previous laws and will this one or forge tests.
    Garrie, I hear you. But from what I gather, with the new law the onus is on the end seller. If you don't have a certification from the foreign manufacturer and cannot obtain one, then you as a vendor cannot legally sell it...bummer for sure.

    KillerJoe
    One of the products sold on my website is a specialty butter that is made in Europe and imported into the States in bulk by one of my distributors. In order for me to ship that butter to Canada I have to provide the Canadian Customs agents with a certificate of good health for the calf from the doctor that oversaw the birth of the calf which now is grown and producing the milk the butter is made from.

    Needless to say, even though I sell a lot of that butter Stateside I don't ship it to our good friends up north.

    Sheesh...
    KillerJoe, That's funny...one has to wonder what is the true purpose behind some of these rules/laws. I think you touched on it but the more I look at this the more inane it becomes. It's almost as if they're intentionally making it almost impossible for some to do business at all. Who really knows? I'm just floored by this and the impact it will have.


    Josh
    I guess second hand stores will have to enact policies that no one under the age of 13 may buy or use their toys :-)
    Hi Josh, not only second hand stores, think about all those garage sales in the summer..flea markets, antique shops..

    Teresa
    No one is disputing that there is a need to keep our kids safe. We're already in a recession (more like a depression actually) and because of how the law was worded it will begin a very rapid downward spiral for many companies - even if they were compliant all along.
    Teresa, How true. This is going to have a downward snowball effect on many many companies both on-line and off-line.

    Carol
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
    Well, by and large, this is exactly the kind of idiotic "law" that merchants around the country need to get of their collective asses and shout about.

    Loudly.

    Aside from the fines, it opens up so many merchants to lawsuits by people who were hurt by lead in toys.

    I agree we need to protect our children. But with laws like these, one day we'll have nothing to protect them with, or from.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tim Franklin
      Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

      Well, by and large, this is exactly the kind of idiotic "law" that merchants around the country need to get of their collective asses and shout about.

      Loudly.

      Aside from the fines, it opens up so many merchants to lawsuits by people who were hurt by lead in toys.

      I agree we need to protect our children. But with laws like these, one day we'll have nothing to protect them with, or from.
      True, you have to wonder what kind of idiots we have elected to represent us in congress.

      The real way to get their attention is to vote them out of office.
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      • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
        It's unfortunate, but the only full time job a legislator has these days is to raise money for re-election. They do not write the legislation, that is by and large done by paid lobbyists, they only vote on it based on how it will effect their ability to raise money.

        They may sponsor it, but they very rarely are involved first hand in writing the provisions.

        What this kind of legislation almost guarantees is that it will be put on hold while millions of dollars change hands as the attornies on each side of the issue banter back and forth about the merits of their side. This may happen either before or after a great deal of damage has already been done.

        It's no wonder we have the kind of messes we currently have when you consider how little thought is given to actually accomplishing something of social value vs holding on to power and position.

        Having said that, if this law sticks, a wide range of opportunities will open up for those that are ready to capitalize on them. This has always been the case, and will be so here.

        KJ
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        • Profile picture of the author lansing
          I guess I am clueless.

          My first thought was "I wonder who sells the test kits and do they have an affiliate program?"
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          • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
            Originally Posted by lansing View Post

            I guess I am clueless.

            My first thought was "I wonder who sells the test kits and do they have an affiliate program?"
            Tests are estimated to cost between $100 and $4000 each. And, from what I've read, that's per product. Apparently, the way the law is written, if, for example, you make three sizes of clothes, all made from the same fabric, one of each size must be tested. That's three tests there. If you make another batch of clothes, then you have to do another round of tests.

            And, from what I've been able to glean, even if you make a product from materials that have already been tested, your end product must still be tested.

            Some small businesses just aren't going to be able to afford all that testing.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
        Originally Posted by Tim Franklin View Post

        The real way to get their attention is to vote them out of office.
        Then they just get appointed to another position by one of their buddies...
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  • Profile picture of the author Shannon Tani
    I know a number of people that handmake things for children. Almost all are small-time, but making enough to support their families. They cannot afford the testing and will be out of business.

    Booo. Big thumbs down for this law.

    Love,
    Shannon
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  • Profile picture of the author Dave777
    Thanks for that info! On the re-workable business side of things, could definitely be a variety of niche opportunities in CPSIA related info including public domain and domaining...

    Here's another topic to seriously Think about...
    DomainInformer : Food recalls - a domaining opportunity

    Dave
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by Dave777 View Post

      Thanks for that info! On the re-workable business side of things, could definitely be a variety of niche opportunities in CPSIA related info including public domain and domaining...

      Here's another topic to seriously Think about...
      DomainInformer : Food recalls - a domaining opportunity

      Dave
      If you could develop an eBook like right now covering CSPIA issues, you could probably make a killing. There are tons of unanswered questions and, with about a month to go before the law takes effect, there still don't appear to be a lot of answers!
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      • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
        Originally Posted by Dan C. Rinnert View Post

        If you could develop an eBook like right now covering CSPIA issues, you could probably make a killing. There are tons of unanswered questions and, with about a month to go before the law takes effect, there still don't appear to be a lot of answers!
        Dan,

        It might be a little premature to come out with an ebook right now. There is no Case Law to help define the parameters at this point so it would be like hitting a moving target.

        And this one will definitely be fodder for the courts.

        KJ
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        • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
          Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

          It might be a little premature to come out with an ebook right now. There is no Case Law to help define the parameters at this point so it would be like hitting a moving target.
          True, and it appears that even the CPSC isn't quite sure of things either.

          The problem is going to be that a lot of people don't want to be the test cases. When you wave around things like a $100,000 penalty per non-compliant product sold to children, a lot of people may be thinking, hey, forget the kid's stuff, let's make a porno...

          Okay, maybe not that extreme. ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    It's time to lobby for a law to make our lawmakers led free.
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  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    This is simply a case of obvert protectionism, of which the real target is China. Just as China has used "health and safety" excuses to keep US agricultural imports out.

    This is not the stuff we need right now. Protectionism was one of the factors behind the Great Depression.

    Derek
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    Did any of these fine lawmakers happen to notice products such as Sony Playstation, Nintendo Wii, vsmile, and god knows what else happen to contain massive amounts of lead?

    It's called solder.....the stuff that holds all the electronics together.

    Even idiots know this...why is it a mystery to 535 of the so-called smartest minds in America?

    Oh well, good thing I don't sell products to kids...I'd lose my mind in about 15 seconds.
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    • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
      Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

      Did any of these fine lawmakers happen to notice products such as Sony Playstation, Nintendo Wii, vsmile, and god knows what else happen to contain massive amounts of lead?

      It's called solder.....the stuff that holds all the electronics together.

      Even idiots know this...why is it a mystery to 535 of the so-called smartest minds in America?

      Oh well, good thing I don't sell products to kids...I'd lose my mind in about 15 seconds.
      Hi Floyd,

      OT a bit, but as an FYI, lead-free solder has been around for years. One reason is because copper pipes (which carry your drinking water) are soldered. When the dangers of lead reared up way back, lead free solder was developed.

      Does that mean 100% of the manufacturers use it? Hardly. But it's fair to say that not ALL electronic gadgets contain lead filled solder.

      Question is though...which ones?

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      • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Hi Floyd,

        OT a bit, but as an FYI, lead-free solder has been around for years. One reason is because copper pipes (which carry your drinking water) are soldered. When the dangers of lead reared up way back, lead free solder was developed.

        Does that mean 100% of the manufacturers use it? Hardly. But it's fair to say that not ALL electronic gadgets contain lead filled solder.

        Question is though...which ones?

        That solder you mention is commonly known as 'acid core' solder. You can't use it in electronics for obvious reasons.
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        • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
          Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

          That solder you mention is commonly known as 'acid core' solder. You can't use it in electronics for obvious reasons.

          I'm aware. I mentioned plumbing solder as A reason for the development for lead free solder. While it's much more difficult to use lead free based solders in electronics (due to melting temperatures), there ARE alternatives out there.

          If memory serves, Europe had to be lead free back in like 2005, 2006.

          My guess though, seeing as most of our electronics come from somewhere OTHER than in the US, there is probably considerably more wide-spread use of lead based solder, so consumers SHOULD be aware.

          I was merely pointing out that not every electronic circuit board was just oozing lead...

          And the content is quite low. I have been soldering components since 1983... the lead content in my system is no worse than my wife's - who has never soldered anything.

          Just don't eat the circuit boards and we should be fine.

          Mike
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      • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
        Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

        Hi Floyd,

        OT a bit, but as an FYI, lead-free solder has been around for years.
        I agree, but what about all those pencils out there?

        KJ
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        • Profile picture of the author Alice Seba
          Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

          I agree, but what about all those pencils out there?

          KJ
          Pencils are made from graphite or charcoal.
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        • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
          Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

          I agree, but what about all those pencils out there?

          KJ
          Graphite.

          They were lead free whan I was in grade school...
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          • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
            Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

            Graphite.

            They were lead free whan I was in grade school...
            they weren't when I was in school..and I survived!
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          • Profile picture of the author Killer Joe
            Originally Posted by MikeAmbrosio View Post

            Graphite.

            They were lead free whan I was in grade school...
            I hear ya. They were stones and chisels when I was in grade school. No color TV, no push button phones, no fax machines, no emails, no text messaging, and certainly no internet.

            We had lead in our paint, lead in our gas, they used asbestos as filler in asphalt, our parents and teachers both felt free to whip the daylights out of us if we misbehaved.

            Ride your bike with a helmet on? Not unless you wanted to get beat up on the playground for being a sissy.

            I'm still not sure how me and all my friends lived this long after watching all the horrible things that happen to young people now that we have legislators that *care*.

            Go figure...

            KJ
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            • Profile picture of the author MikeAmbrosio
              Originally Posted by Killer Joe View Post

              I hear ya. They were stones and chisels when I was in grade school. No color TV, no push button phones, no fax machines, no emails, no text messaging, and certainly no internet.

              We had lead in our paint, lead in our gas, they used asbestos as filler in asphalt, our parents and teachers both felt free to whip the daylights out of us if we misbehaved.

              Ride your bike with a helmet on? Not unless you wanted to get beat up on the playground for being a sissy.

              I'm still not sure how me and all my friends lived this long after watching all the horrible things that happen to young people now that we have legislators that *care*.

              Go figure...

              KJ
              Too funny. We must be near the same age.

              The only reason I even remember about the pencils being graphite is because along about the 2nd or 3rd grade I stabbed myself with my pencil (don't ask). I went to the doctor who said we had nothing to worry about because there was no lead in that pencil...

              I remember when lead products were all changing over - including gasoline. When I started driving you could still find leaded gas at most stations. You had to TELL them "regular or unleaded".

              And the house I grew up in? Asbestos tiles for the siding. My brother and I used to take the spare ones, break them and use them to fling around like frisbees.

              We had ONE tv in our household. It did have a makeshift remote...see, my dad would decide what HE wanted to watch, fling the tv guide at the back of one of our heads and say "Channel 4!"

              Ah, the good old days...
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  • Profile picture of the author TimothyW
    I don't see how this law will survive. I think it will be struck down -- and soon. Too devastating to the economy.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
    Couldn't anyone get around this by stating no sales to anyone under 13, and not intended for use by anyone under 13?

    That baby rattle? No, it's a mini-maraca for adults!

    And so on.

    On the other hand, this could be abused by anyone looking to get wealthy through a lawsuit.

    Think about it. What about ANY product purchased BEFORE February 10th? Someone could falsely claim they bought a lead-tainted product AFTER that date. But what about a receipt. All they have to do is claim they had no intention of returning the product, so they threw the receipt away.

    And why the age of 13? Are 10, 11, and 12 year olds out there licking all of their toys? Just wondering.

    All the best,
    Michael
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    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Couldn't anyone get around this by stating no sales to anyone under 13, and not intended for use by anyone under 13?

      That baby rattle? No, it's a mini-maraca for adults!

      And so on.

      On the other hand, this could be abused by anyone looking to get wealthy through a lawsuit.

      Think about it. What about ANY product purchased BEFORE February 10th? Someone could falsely claim they bought a lead-tainted product AFTER that date. But what about a receipt. All they have to do is claim they had no intention of returning the product, so they threw the receipt away.

      And why the age of 13? Are 10, 11, and 12 year olds out there licking all of their toys? Just wondering.

      All the best,
      Michael
      It's not just licking toys.

      You expose any your extremities to lead, you need to wash them off immediately.

      Handle lead, eat a hamburger, hello lead poisoning.

      They figure 13 year olds are smart enough to wash before eating. Too bad our lawmakers don't seem to be.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alice Seba
      Originally Posted by Michael Oksa View Post

      Couldn't anyone get around this by stating no sales to anyone under 13, and not intended for use by anyone under 13?
      Because once they are 13, they become disposable? Seriously, I haven't a clue.

      The references I could find didn't seem to provide a clue and seem to indicate much younger children are generally affected.

      Child Trends DataBank - Lead Poisoning
      Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program | Every Parent Fact Sheet_old | CDC
      Understanding lead poisoning - Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital

      As a generally concerned parent, this law is ridiculous. It doesn't affect my business at all, but as a parent, it's not something I would ask for. I think the parents that are concerned should get complimentary government-provided bubbles for their children. It'd probably be cheaper. :-)

      By the way: I mean no offense to parents who may have been affected by lead-poisoning. I'm speaking in the grand scheme of things and whether or not this is generally necessary - because let's face it, these laws aren't going to fully protect children from what it is supposed to protect them from.

      Alice
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  • Profile picture of the author amentajo
    Anytime, it regards children, it is better to be safe than sorry
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    • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
      Originally Posted by amentajo View Post

      Anytime, it regards children, it is better to be safe than sorry
      Hope you didn't buy them a Nintendo Wii for christmas...it contains massive amounts of lead.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by amentajo View Post

      Anytime, it regards children, it is better to be safe than sorry
      And that's the kind of thinking that created this mess.

      Let's keep children safe, but how about we do so in a rational manner?

      Otherwise, why not keep them locked away in padded rooms until they reach adulthood?

      No one is arguing that children shouldn't be kept as reasonably safe as possible, but why add all the bureaucracy and testing on products that haven't posed an issue? As another poster mentioned, the problem originated with lead paint being used on cheap toys imported from China. There weren't any outbreaks of lead poisoning from parents buying second-hand kids' clothes.

      We've already had, in the U.S., restrictions on the use of lead in products intended for children. Those products weren't the problem. But, those products are all going to have to go through testing now.

      If the problems were foreign imports, why not just have a law that requires products for importation to meet the same lead-content requirements as domestically produced goods? Put the burden where the problem was, not where it wasn't.
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      • Profile picture of the author Black Hat Cat
        Banned
        You folks are crazy. Mama government is looking out for you. It's all going to be better now. I mean, it's for "the children", you know. Who could be against the children? What, you hate kids or something?

        Now if only they would hurry up and get that cow fart tax in place. Then we'll be one step closer to Utopia.....
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        • Profile picture of the author ExRat
          Hi,

          Agreed. This is crazy. E numbers and the rest of the crap in food are fine of course...It's alright to let mums gas our kids as they walk past all of the 'Chelsea tractors' doing the school-run. If we really cared about our kids, we'd make them wander around in protective bubbles.

          Condolences to anyone affected by this.

          BTW Do you think this will affect my lead generation business?
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          Roger Davis

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          • Profile picture of the author Jillian Slack
            Here's a link to an "online petition." I have no idea how effective these are. Usually when I see anything about an online petition, it's one of those email forwards and I think those are ignored by people in authority. However, this site has a letter that you can use to voice your concern to those in power. Maybe that's the way to go.

            Save Kid's Clothing Resale, Consignment & Thrift Stores from Closing! | Make Second Hand Kid's Clothes Legal! | Make Second Hand Kid's Clothes Legal!


            Sheesh, what's next?
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          • Profile picture of the author Alice Seba
            Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

            If we really cared about our kids, we'd make them wander around in protective bubbles.
            That was my suggestion above. I also think the government should pay for the bubbles!
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            • Profile picture of the author ExRat
              Hi Alice,

              Ooops! I appear to have blatantly (but unwittingly) 'plaguarised' your bubble idea. I do apologise. How embarrassing! It was a great idea Alice. If we could also make them soundproof, that might solve a few other unrelated problems too, but would perhaps be a little unethical...

              PS you really burst my bubble there.
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              Roger Davis

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          • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
            Originally Posted by ExRat View Post

            Hi,

            Agreed. This is crazy. E numbers and the rest of the crap in food are fine of course...It's alright to let mums gas our kids as they walk past all of the 'Chelsea tractors' doing the school-run. If we really cared about our kids, we'd make them wander around in protective bubbles.

            Condolences to anyone affected by this.

            BTW Do you think this will affect my lead generation business?
            Only if you're selling lead to children. Then you should be ashamed.
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            • Profile picture of the author Karen Blundell
              this law makes me angry... because this is Nanny-state-ism at it's finest :rolleyes:

              yet it's perfectly okay to prescribe Ritalin to kids, huh? You might as well give them Chrystal Meth.

              This law isn't about protecting children at all...it's another cash cow for the government! :rolleyes:
              that's what I think
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  • Profile picture of the author KristenArnold
    Wow- I am so impressed that this thread made it onto the Warrior Forum.. considering I found the WF when I was teaching myself IM to grow my baby product business!

    As the mom of 4 wee ones and a "mom invented" product that is used for children I'm deep in the guts of all this, so I appreciate everyone being "aware" and "active" since it has been more of silent mover in the media!

    I also just want to point out that there are tons of "gray" areas that we are still trying to understand. One includes that this is expected to encompass those small crafters at your local senior center or town craft fairs that sell handmade American Girl size doll clothes, wooden hand made puzzles.. think of the effects on the small people that do events for a little extra cash- the "offline Im" ers?
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  • Profile picture of the author NickiOZJ
    Here's another wrinkle... How will this affect resale shops and Thrift stores? Many of these places have children's items. Also with compliance being another expense to incur what will this do to prices? And with state of the economy... can we afford it? I think perhaps we should hold off enforcing this one a bit, or at least put in controls that allow smaller buisnesses to make reasonable concessions.
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  • Profile picture of the author jcbradley
    The other people it hurts are the ones who shop at consignment, 2nd hand and thrift stores. They usually can't afford spending too much money on clothing, hence, why these stores are popular but with this in effect, they will no longer have this option, thereby another unintended consequence of a stupid law. the people they want to help are the ones going to get hurt the most. It really becomes a hidden and extremely burdensome tax increase on the lower to middle class people who do shop at these stores.

    And to add one more point to this, how do you think big business is seeing this? Hating it like the rest of us small business or loving it, knowing this will kill away competition not to mention a reason to hike prices
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by jcbradley View Post

      And to add one more point to this, how do you think big business is seeing this? Hating it like the rest of us small business or loving it, knowing this will kill away competition not to mention a reason to hike prices
      Their lobbyists probably wrote the law.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Monty
    I am glad I'm not in the "children" niche right about now.
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinw1
    I create custom LEGO instructions and sell them on CDs. While the instructions are pretty advanced (think 3500-piece car ferry model) people do buy them for their kids. Right now I have no idea whether putting a disclaimer on the site that they are intended for over 13's will be enough, or if I even need to bother since I'm in Canada (but my web hosting is in the US).

    There's a lot of discussion going on over on Etsy where a lot of crafters hang out. Anyone making OOAK (one-of-a-kind) stuff is completely out of luck because each product-line has to be tested and the testing destroys the item being tested.

    This kind of law is not uncommon. For the last few years, here in BC we've been wresting with new meat regulations which make it illegal for farmers to slaughter on-site and sell at the farm gate. In an isolated community like ours where the volume can't possibly justify millions of dollars for a govt-approved slaughter facility, and the ferry trip to the larger island (not even mainland) facilities is several hours and hundreds of $$$, it basically puts local meat producers out of business. Last I heard, the BC govt is finally starting to see sense, but this is after years of struggle and people having already stopped meat production and even lost their farms because of it.

    Lawmakers never seem able to predict the side-effects of a new law. One wonders sometimes whether they even bother trying. Something like food safety or child protection is seen to be automatically a good, no matter what, even though the side effects may produce a negative net result.

    Kevin
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

      I create custom LEGO instructions and sell them on CDs. While the instructions are pretty advanced (think 3500-piece car ferry model) people do buy them for their kids. Right now I have no idea whether putting a disclaimer on the site that they are intended for over 13's will be enough, or if I even need to bother since I'm in Canada (but my web hosting is in the US).
      From what I've read, a disclaimer is not enough. If it is or appears to be something that would be used by children under 13, it must be tested.

      I don't know how it would affect you being in Canada.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alice Seba
      Originally Posted by kevinw1 View Post

      I create custom LEGO instructions and sell them on CDs. While the instructions are pretty advanced (think 3500-piece car ferry model) people do buy them for their kids. Right now I have no idea whether putting a disclaimer on the site that they are intended for over 13's will be enough, or if I even need to bother since I'm in Canada (but my web hosting is in the US).
      I don't know the answer to your question, but what a cool business. I, for one, can't put together the sets designed for 7-12 year olds, but I do know people who would love what you do. :-)

      Alice
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  • Profile picture of the author Golelen
    The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again.

    I'm going to be sure to tell my wife about this tonight. She is a pre-k teacher and all her kids are sucking and slobbering on their toys. There are a lot of schools out there that would have to throw alot of stuff away if the law applied to then and it would require a lot of tax money to replace all that stuff. My wife still has stuff in her classroom that was used by the previous teacher and is over 10 years old.
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    • Profile picture of the author KathyK
      Originally Posted by Golelen View Post

      The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again.

      I'm going to be sure to tell my wife about this tonight. She is a pre-k teacher and all her kids are sucking and slobbering on their toys. There are a lot of schools out there that would have to throw alot of stuff away if the law applied to then and it would require a lot of tax money to replace all that stuff. My wife still has stuff in her classroom that was used by the previous teacher and is over 10 years old.
      She's safe - it only applies if she tries to sell it or give it to a thrift shop or something. She doesn't have to stop using it.
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      Cheers,
      Kathy

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  • Profile picture of the author Josh Anderson
    Everyone interested in this thread should read this:

    CPSC Clarifies Requirements of New Children's Product Safety Laws Taking Effect in February

    The CPSC responded to the widespread panic with some clarifications...

    Here is one quote:

    thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
    I did not see a lot of encouraging things in that article but at least there is a glimmer and there will be more clarifications published because of the outcry I am sure.
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