New Child Toy Law Affects Waldorf Parents

[Enchanted Gypsy]

Have you heard about this ? If you are trying to raise your kid in a waldorf way then you should know because it directly affects you.

The law would require all testing of anything at all intended for kids under 12, to be tested for lead at a cost of 4000 dollars. Every component must be tested. Hundreds of smaller and larger toy companies will go under because of this and the cute little waldorf toys we like to buy for our kids will no longer be. A lot of the European wooden toy companies will stop shipping to the U.S and the small time handmade toy makers and internet business's will certainly go under. This law even affects resale, so craigslist, ebay and thrift stores ..goodbye.


This is so sad and I am sad not just for the severly limited toy choices I will have for my DD but also all the WHAM who will be affected. I am all for lead free toys, that is one reason why I buy the toys I do, but ironically this law will effect them and make it so all we have to buy is plastic chinese crap.

Here is an article on it,

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4686031.shtmlhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4686031.shtml

[luvmyrory]

Yes, I've heard. I, too am just so, so sad. And angry. It is just so so frustrating. It's just absolutely insane when you think about it. --and everything for kids under 12- so bye bye wahm made cloth diapers and slings too.

I've written to my congresswoman and senators, as has DH. I've forwarded emails to family and friends to urge them to do the same. There's also a Save Handmade link in my blog that links to the Handmade Toy Alliance, where you can print out sample letters to send to your representatives and also get their addresses.

I urge everyone to do the same:
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/

[orangewallflower]

What is so awful about this law is that it is addressing the behavior of unscrupulous huge companies that have offshore factories that they never inspect. I can't believe that they aren't building in a small business exemption. I imagine that the unintended effect is that small toymakers will just sell in blackmarket fashion. I willl certainly support them if they do.

[counterGOPI]

i too have allready written everyone i need to and posted about this on my blog. it really really upsets me!! we are trying to bring this to president obamas attention asap.

[lorelei]

So screwed up!
I hope it can be rewritten to be more small biz friendly.

[KJoslyn78]

if i can find it - someone on another board i frequent actually called the 800 number. Basically, if you use materials that were already tested, you personally do not need to test, as long as you have a copy of the materials certificate on file at your business (home files, etc)

Give me some time and i will find out specifically what was said. Fact is, there are already many laws on the books that require things to be tested, this just makes it more "out there".

[KJoslyn78]

I have edited this post due to copyright issues for MDC... if you would like to read the full post - i will glad point you in the right direction. I have edited into my own words, condensing the information as well.

The direct number to CPSC: 301-504-7923
You need to tell them what product(s) you are specifically calling about and they will connect you to the extension are and/or person who specializes in those products. A warning though, it will be very difficult to get a hold of something. You may need to leave many messages and call back many times.

Due to the Clothing and Textile Standards of 1953, the information they are requesting is required now to be provided. This new law is just adding some new items to the standards, but there are ways around testing

Importantly, you need to provide retailers with the certificate, not individual customers.

It was surprising that a lot of this law was already in effect.

[PieKat]

Joslyn, That information was very helpful. I had just read about this tonight. . .and am happy you've clarified for us.

Kate

[Flor]

I hope that is true. It makes sense, but it isn't what the Handmade Toy Alliance is saying. It is their suggestion, but not what they believe is going to happen.
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/Home

http://nationalbankruptcyday.com/

there is a facebook group, too.

This, too:
http://www.playthings.com/article/CA6620437.html
No more Selecta. I heard conflicting things about Kathy Kruse stopping US sales.

[counterGOPI]