Kaytrim
Kustoms
Registered: 05/22/07
Posts: 1209
Loc: Cedar Rapids,IA
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I was just alerted by Marc Spagnolo AKA The Wood Whisperer that a new law was enacted August of this year. This law is called The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and effects ALL products manufactured for sale and intended for use by those age 12 and under. All toys must meet strict testing requirements for lead and phthalates. All tested products must also carry a label certifying that the toy meets the CPSIA testing guidelines with a date and batch code. These requirements go into affect in February 2009. More information can be found at The Handmade Toy Alliance website.
How that affects us as wood workers I am not sure. The Handmade Toy Alliance has more information and is trying to get some exemptions added to the law. These exemptions will make it legal for us to make toys again. I don't think that I will be affected by this law because my customers are all over 12 years of age. However I have emailed a question to the people running the Handmade Toy Alliance. I strongly suggest that anyone who makes toys for kids get familiar with this law in order to protect themselves. As it sits right now this affects everyone no matter how small the operation.
Michael
(edited to add link to Marc's blog post on this subject)
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Edited by Kaytrim (12/10/08 04:18 PM)
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stickdude
Member
Registered: 01/17/03
Posts: 211
Loc: Buda, TX
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Thanks, CHINA!
I do understand protecting kids - but our government has taken far too many liberties in 'protecting' us from ourselves lately and I only see this getting worse.
Apparently those morons think most of us are too stupid to take care of ourselves - and perhaps they're right when you consider WE ELECTED THOSE JACK*****!
They've also forgotten that they don't rule us, but rather WORK FOR US!
Rant over - sorry, didn't mean to highack the thread 
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Darrin
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arch55
Member
Registered: 12/20/04
Posts: 1488
Loc: AZ
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Kaytrim said:
I was just alerted by Marc Spagnolo AKA The Wood Whisperer that a new law was enacted August of this year. This law is called The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and effects ALL products manufactured for sale and intended for use by those age 12 and under. All toys must meet strict testing requirements for lead and phthalates. All tested products must also carry a label certifying that the toy meets the CPSIA testing guidelines with a date and batch code. These requirements go into affect in February 2009. More information can be found at The Handmade Toy Alliance website.
How that affects us as wood workers I am not sure. The Handmade Toy Alliance has more information and is trying to get some exemptions added to the law. These exemptions will make it legal for us to make toys again. I don't think that I will be affected by this law because my customers are all over 12 years of age. However I have emailed a question to the people running the Handmade Toy Alliance. I strongly suggest that anyone who makes toys for kids get familiar with this law in order to protect themselves. As it sits right now this affects everyone no matter how small the operation.
In taking a quick look at the bill language, it seems the mandatory lead testing only applies to imports. That would be quite a lot different than you've characterized it in your thread title and description.
I imagine the materials for domestic made-in-the-USA toys are already covered via the Hazardous Materials Act or other similar things specific to children's toys, so it would be redundant.
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Kaytrim
Kustoms
Registered: 05/22/07
Posts: 1209
Loc: Cedar Rapids,IA
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arch55 said:
In taking a quick look at the bill language, it seems the mandatory lead testing only applies to imports. That would be quite a lot different than you've characterized it in your thread title and description.
I imagine the materials for domestic made-in-the-USA toys are already covered via the Hazardous Materials Act or other similar things specific to children's toys, so it would be redundant.
It may be redundant but it also exceeds those rules. Here is a copy of the summary of section 102 item B...
Quote:
B. Third-Party Testing of Children's Products
The new legislation imposes an additional third-party testing requirement for all consumer products primarily intended for children twelve years of age or younger. Every manufacturer (including an importer) or private labeler of a children’s product must have its product tested by an accredited independent testing lab and, based on the testing, must issue a certificate that the product meets all applicable CPSC requirements.
This section continues on but the key language is in that first paragraph. This law does effect every manufacturer which includes you or I if our product is intended for children 12 years and younger. Here is the CPSC web page that has pdf documents of all the consumer protection acts including the Hazardous Materials act you mentioned. Further down the page are links to the summaries of the CPSIA.
CPSC Website
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vapochilled
Member
Registered: 01/13/08
Posts: 1348
Loc: Allentown, PA
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then we'll be seeing a lot less "toys" on the shelves and a lot more "ornamental wooden trains " 
laws have loopholes for a reason lol
I suspect that as long as a seller can demonstrate that the components all meet the legislation, then the final product will also
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Some people are like slinkies, not good for anything. But they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
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Kaytrim
Kustoms
Registered: 05/22/07
Posts: 1209
Loc: Cedar Rapids,IA
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Unfortunately the wording of the law doesn't work that way. The final product must be tested. What you are talking about is exactly what the Handmade Toy Alliance is trying to get amended to the law. Also they are trying to get businesses under certain limits of production to be exempt. Which should protect 99% of us.
Please take the time visit their site. Sign the petition that has been started. Contact your Congressmen and let them know that this will cripple an already failing economy.
Thank you,
Michael
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ahartung
Member
Registered: 02/21/07
Posts: 198
Loc: North Liberty, Iowa
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Paint just doesn't taste the same anymore without the lead in it.
Seriously though, I hadn't heard about this but was wondering about it the other day if something like this was coming.
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brettski314
Member
Registered: 02/22/05
Posts: 13
Loc: Elwood, IL
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Santa's not gonna be happy about this...
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tphillips_jr
Member
Registered: 01/17/00
Posts: 1382
Loc: Dripping Springs, TX
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Purchase a branding iron & place "This product intended for ages 13 and older" on toy.
"We have met the enemy, and he is us." Pogo
My 2d,
Tom
Edited by tphillips_jr (12/11/08 08:01 AM)
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ec121connie
Member
Registered: 01/12/07
Posts: 191
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arch55
As an FYI
Here is an excerpt from a person who specializes in the application of this law.
"even if you give it away to charity you are required to comply. Thank the fast food chains that give away: “free promotional toys” for that piece of the law."
This is a ridiculous law that will seriously harm U.S. toy makers and it will have no effect on the Chinese companies that caused the problem.
They, Chinese companies, don't abide by our import laws or regulations now. A new law or regulation won't solve that problem.
Regards,
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