Dec. 14: I’ve been really unhappy to read that a new law, the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (which is going into effect in February) is going to have a terrible effect on the handmade children’s toys. The law is a well-intended one, designed to prevent toxins in toys like the ones that have been coming from China. However, the law is going to require anyone who creates children’s toys and clothes to have their products third-party tested and labeled. Since undergoing this testing is anticipated to cost four thousand dollars per toy, the natural toy industry – the artists, stay-at-home-moms, and small shops that makes some of the toys I most adore – are going to go out of business – UNLESS the law is ammended to fix this oversight.
Here are some good resources to learn more and some links to quick actions to take:
Cool Mom Picks – Save Handmade
Handmade Toy Alliance
These sites have links to more information, petitions to sign, a Facebook group to join, votes to cast on Change.org, sample letters to send to your representatives, etc.