“The Handmade Toy Alliance reacts to Committee Hearing on the CPSIA”

Sept. 4, 2009 - PRLog -- The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, September 10th titled, “Consumer Product Safety Commission Oversight: Current Issues and a Vision for the Future”.  Committee Chairperson, Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) has called only one witness to testify at the hearing – Chairperson Inez Tenenbaum of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  While long awaiting a hearing in this committee since the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed into law in August of 2008, Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) members are frustrated that no one representing the unintended consequences of the CPSIA on small businesses has been invited to testify.

In a letter to Chairman Waxman and ranking committee members dated September 4, 2009, the HTA states:  “While we have full faith in the abilities of Ms. Tenenbaum and believe she is working to apply common sense interpretations to the CPSIA, we do not believe that she can represent the full scope of the CPSIA's impact on responsible American small businesses.  Nor do we believe that the unintended consequences of the CPSIA can be solved through the CPSC's rulemaking. A technical correction is required, and we would like the opportunity to tell your committee why.”

The letter goes on to say, “Now is the time for Congress to hear the voices of small businesses. Now is the time to show that laws can be written for the common good, not just for the interests of large, well connected corporations.  Now is the time to invite small businesses, including a representative of our alliance, to speak truth to Congress about how the CPSIA is devastating our businesses and our livelihoods.”

Plans are currently being made to send HTA Secretary Jill Chuckas, owner of Crafty Baby (CT) to DC as a representative of the HTA.  “This is what we have all been working towards – an open hearing in the committee of jurisdiction.  Now all we want is an opportunity to be heard,” said Chuckas upon learning of the hearing.  “This is such a personal issue for our members – myself included.  We all just want to continue doing what truly makes us happy -creating safe and wonderful children’s products.”

The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 382 retail stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and all manner of small batch children's goods in the USA.  Formed in November of 2008 in response to the CPSIA, HTA members are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives.  While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA have motivated members of the HTA to work to enact change at a federal level.  More information at www.handmadetoyalliance.org.

Dan Marshall, co-owner
Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care (St. Paul, MN)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 651-238-8398
dan@peapods.com
handmadetoyalliance.org   

Jill Chuckas, Owner, Designer
Crafty Baby (Stamford, CT)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 888-788-5168
jill@craftybaby.com
handmadetoyalliance.org   

Cecilia Leibovitz, President
Craftsbury Kids (Montpelier,VT)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 802-223-7143
ceci@craftsburykids.com
handmadetoyalliance.org

Rob Wilson, Vice President,
Challenge & Fun (Ashland, MA)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 888-384-6200
hta@challengeandfun.com
handmadetoyalliance.org

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.The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 382 retail stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and all manner of small batch children's goods in the USA. Formed in November of 2008 in response to the CPSIA, HTA members are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives. While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA have motivated members of the HTA to work to enact change at a federal level. More information at www.handmadetoyalliance.org.