I just heard about this new law a few days ago. I copied this posting from my cousin's blog. She recently opened a used/consignment shop in Idaho. Please read, and do your part....even if it only means passing this on.
This story was taken from my side bar "She does hair" Please take a minute to read through and if you are so inclined to write to your congressmen please do, I have sent 20 emails, and made 40 phone calls this week, with NO response. However, I have left my name number, business information, and my grievance with this law. This is not the time in our economy to enforce this law. I have too many regular customers that can't afford to shop anywhere else and get the quality they are at my store.
Soon, a United States law will go into affect that will have a profound impact on small business,as well as home crafters, bow makers, blanket makers and any of us moms trying to make a little extra $$. It is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is a law that in essence, prohibits anyone from selling products to children under twelve without rigorous lead testing. This includes ANY products intended for use by a child. Small businesses, Etsy, E-bay, Craigslist, Freecycle, thrift stores, consignment stores, garage sales, even hand-me-downs are included in this measure.
All items that haven't been tested for lead by February 10th will be required to be thrown into a landfill. I am disgusted that the country I live in, who boasts of its many freedoms, would do something as heinous as this. So much for "going green".I understand the need to test for lead, however the lead problems are from China. According to the law, instead of leaving it to my girls, we will have to toss it. You won't be able to give those hardly used clothes to Goodwill or your niece or neighbor. Clothing prices at retailers will go through the roof because of the sheer cost of testing each article of clothing. I was thinking today that it reminds me a lot of why our country established it's own union. Taxation without representation. The bottom line is what matters. Forcing people to buy retail instead of buying used. They can't tax clothing that has already been sold. No more boutique clothes. No more homemade puzzles. No more homemade hairbows, No more homemade jewelry, No more toys that Grandpa lovingly worked on for over a month. What makes me even sicker is that OUR house passed it with no nays and only a few in the Senate. I have a pit in my stomach. I can only imagine who is in the back pockets of these lawmakers.For living in a country that boasts being a democracy, it sure feels a lot like communism.
To see more about National Bankruptcy Day SEE HERE
To see how it will effect the prices of your children's clothing, SEE HERE
An article to see how this will effect thrift stores SEE HERE
How it will effect small business like Etsy SEE HERE
For a Facebook group that helps you to see how you may be able to change the law SEE HERE
Write your congressman! I just did!!!
This story was taken from my side bar "She does hair" Please take a minute to read through and if you are so inclined to write to your congressmen please do, I have sent 20 emails, and made 40 phone calls this week, with NO response. However, I have left my name number, business information, and my grievance with this law. This is not the time in our economy to enforce this law. I have too many regular customers that can't afford to shop anywhere else and get the quality they are at my store.
Soon, a United States law will go into affect that will have a profound impact on small business,as well as home crafters, bow makers, blanket makers and any of us moms trying to make a little extra $$. It is called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It is a law that in essence, prohibits anyone from selling products to children under twelve without rigorous lead testing. This includes ANY products intended for use by a child. Small businesses, Etsy, E-bay, Craigslist, Freecycle, thrift stores, consignment stores, garage sales, even hand-me-downs are included in this measure.
All items that haven't been tested for lead by February 10th will be required to be thrown into a landfill. I am disgusted that the country I live in, who boasts of its many freedoms, would do something as heinous as this. So much for "going green".I understand the need to test for lead, however the lead problems are from China. According to the law, instead of leaving it to my girls, we will have to toss it. You won't be able to give those hardly used clothes to Goodwill or your niece or neighbor. Clothing prices at retailers will go through the roof because of the sheer cost of testing each article of clothing. I was thinking today that it reminds me a lot of why our country established it's own union. Taxation without representation. The bottom line is what matters. Forcing people to buy retail instead of buying used. They can't tax clothing that has already been sold. No more boutique clothes. No more homemade puzzles. No more homemade hairbows, No more homemade jewelry, No more toys that Grandpa lovingly worked on for over a month. What makes me even sicker is that OUR house passed it with no nays and only a few in the Senate. I have a pit in my stomach. I can only imagine who is in the back pockets of these lawmakers.For living in a country that boasts being a democracy, it sure feels a lot like communism.
To see more about National Bankruptcy Day SEE HERE
To see how it will effect the prices of your children's clothing, SEE HERE
An article to see how this will effect thrift stores SEE HERE
How it will effect small business like Etsy SEE HERE
For a Facebook group that helps you to see how you may be able to change the law SEE HERE
Write your congressman! I just did!!!
Hey, they JUST released a statement today that says this does not affect and was never meant to affect resale and consignment shops. Hopefully that will help your friend breathe a little easier. :-)
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Oh Thank-you for posting that,,,,Have I told you lately that I love you((((HUGS))))
That information was a great read, but I am still a little worried. I talked to some aid at one of our congressmans office today, and he told me not to panic, this will have a lot of wrinkles to iron, and until I hear different or they come to lock my doors, just carry on business as usual....so we will see!