“The Handmade Toy Alliance reacts to CPSC report to Congress”

Jan. 18, 2010 - PRLog -- This past Friday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), released their report to Congress regarding implementation issues relating to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) as requested within the Omnibus Appropriations Bill of 2010.  For the first time, the CPSC formally acknowledged that the CPSIA requires legislative changes to ensure “A more orderly implementation of the statute and enhance Commission enforcement efforts”.  Specifically addressed within the report are small manufacturers’ and crafters’ concerns.

“This is the first concrete, upfront acknowledgement that there are issues hindering the effective implementation of the CPSIA”, Jill Chuckas, Crafty Baby (CT) and Secretary of the HTA stated.  “Still, there were many specific recommendations that we had hoped would be included with the report. We will continue our efforts until we see common sense changes that will allow crafters and other small batch manufacturers to easily show their compliance under the law and stay in business.”

The Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) has been a continuous voice for small batch manufacturers and retailers since November of 2008.  In a letter dated January 14, 2010, the HTA called upon the CPSC to include within their report to Congress thirteen specific recommendations for legislative change (see http://handmadetoyalliance.blogspot.com/2010/01/htas-reco...) that would serve to alleviate burdens the CPSIA places on the businesses the HTA represents while continuing to ensure safety in children’s products.

“While we greatly appreciate the work the CPSC has done and continues to do – reaching out to our membership and addressing our concerns – a legislative change to the CPSIA is necessary to fully address the many unintended consequences of the CPSIA”, Dan Marshall, Peapods Natural Toys (MN) and Vice President of the HTA discussed.  “The recent reports of increased cadmium use in children’s jewelry only serves to highlight the need for risk analysis to be reinstated in the actual legislation.”

Four out of five Commissioners issued their own personal statements with further recommendations designed to improve implementation of the Act.  Specifically, Commissioner Northup outlined a detailed list of legislative suggestions, including allowing for a level of de minimis risk of absorbable lead.  

“We applaud Commissioner Northup for advocating open government by listing letters that we have all sent to the Commission over the months, as an appendix to her comments”, Rob Wilson, Challenge and Fun (MA) and HTA Board member stated.  “Commissioner Northup is clearly advocating the middle ground between business, safety, regulatory necessities, and common sense.”

The HTA includes retail stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country that 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.  For more information, visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org.

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

Jill Chuckas, Owner, Designer
Crafty Baby (Stamford, CT)
Tel. 888-788-5168
jill@craftybaby.com   

Cecilia Leibovitz, President
Craftsbury Kids (Montpelier,VT)
Tel. 802-223-7143
ceci@craftsburykids.com

Rob Wilson, Vice President,
Challenge & Fun (Ashland, MA)
Tel. 888-384-6200
hta@challengeandfun.com

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The HTA includes retail stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country that 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. For more information, visit www.handmadetoyalliance.org.