Please read Part 1 before continuing this post/series on the new CPSIA.

The availability of used children’s products is just the tip of the iceberg of the reaches of this new law. Obviously, anything used won’t have this certification, unless the seller chooses to pay the prohibitive cost to have each item tested, but think now of the new products, that this law enacts strict regulations for.

This law was written out of the concern of lead in children’s toys. However, as they have extended it to cover all children’s products (anything intended for use by those under 12 years of age) it’s reaches go far beyond toys from China.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission states that lead testing requirements apply to children’s books, cassettes and CDs, printed game boards, posters and other printed goods used for children’s education. While it does claim some printing inks will be exempt, paper, cardboard, bindings, glues, laminates and other inks are still subject to regulation and require testing.

Let’s look at the implications to us as home educators, and particularly the home education resource market.

Many home education books, CD’s, games, manipulatives, flashcards, magazines, and such are published by small self-publishers, many times home educating families that author the materials. Many of these small businesses will not be able to afford the required testing (anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars for each component, in each production run,) and won’t risk the fines and imprisonment to continue their businesses. They will be at risk in selling any of the inventory they have in stock on Feb. 10th that has not been tested. I’m part of a group of Christian self-publishers, many of them publishers of home ed resources that you all know and love, and many of them are wrestling with this right now. Will they be able to continue their businesses after Feb. 10th? They are watching and waiting, and working to find solutions that will allow them to remain in business, as for many of them, this is a “calling” and a ministry to fellow home educators.

This also will affect many other cottage industries, such as those that make clothing, knitted or crocheted items, blankets, and diapers, to name a few. I think of the many WAHMs that make diapers and wraps and such, or crocheted booties, bonnets, and sweaters, or afghans, blankets, quilts, or those that sew modest clothing for those that don’t sew, etc. Think also of those that make “natural” or “one of a kind” children’s items and toys – such as wooden cars, or cloth dolls, or handmade jewelry, etc.

This law is not only a potential disaster for used children’s items trading, but also for small businesses that manufacture anything for children. Pray for those that have been suddenly faced with the fact that their business may not be able to continue after this month. I really don’t want to see my dearly loved companies that produce dearly loved products go out of business. Many of them are my friends. I care about their families and their livelihood. I also care about the home educators that will miss out on much of the absolute best resources if these are forced to close up shop.

Think of the implication this will have on our economy. The shut down of multitudes of small businesses that just can’t afford to pay for the tests, or in the case of used items take the risk of selling untested items, will affect us all. The bankruptcies, the unemployment, the lost/unusable inventory, these are just a few more implications of this new law, that is amputating the arm to cure the hangnail.

Check back tomorrow to see implications.

In the meantime, and as always, remember, we serve a living Sovereign God. He holds history and the future, nations as well as individuals, in His hand. America and her economic structure does not provide our Salvation, He alone does.

Go to Part 3.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Order Christian & Home Ed Resources here

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to cure the hangnail.

Not only have regulations multiplied exponentially in our nation in our lifetimes, a new law that will take affect on Feb. 10th has the potential of truly changing “life as we know it.”

Congress overwhelming approved it – with only Ron Paul, in the House, and 3 Senators voting against it. GW signed it into law – stamped his approval – in Aug. It is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, CPSIA.

I’m amazed at the “quietness” of this law. Many of the people that will be affected by this law as businesses, are just now hearing of it! IOW, their business may be completely illegal in a month, and they don’t know about it!

The law stems from the problem of lead being found in children’s products recently (2007). So to protect us all the CPSC has determined that every product (each production batch) for children under the age of 12 must be tested for lead, and certified to be “lead-free” (one acceptable level for the Feb. date, a much lower acceptable allowance in a few months). The fine for anyone selling or giving a child’s product that has not be “certified” is $100,000 per incidence and up to 5 years in prison.

This law will apply to used or new products, anything for children. In an update (“clarification”) issued yesterday (Jan. 8th) it was stated that used items do not have to be tested to be resold, but they are still under the same compliance. i.e. If you sell, attempt to sell, market, etc. an item that is discovered later to not comply to the regulations, you are held responsible. Here is just a short list of the things that could become illegal contraband – a felony to give or sell – after Feb. 10th.

Used clothing, blankets, bedding, etc.
Used toys, games
Used books and other media.

“All untested items, regardless of lead content, are to be declared “banned hazardous products.” The CPSC has already determined the law applies to every children’s item on shelves, not just to items made beginning Feb. 10.”

This quote may seem a little alarmist, as the “clarification” yesterday states that these used products can be sold, but at the risk of later prosecution. Those that deal in used items have to weigh whether that is a risk worth taking. This will have implications on thrift stores, ebay, consignment shops, flea markets, craft shows, used curriculum fairs, used book elists or websites, antique book stores, areas of antique stores, libraries – even garage sales. Anyone or anywhere that has been selling (or giving) used children’s items will need to look at closing their doors or taking the risk – at least the “children’s” aspect of that business.

This will have deep ramifications for any of us that buy used products for our children out of necessity – whether their clothing, toys, or curriculum. It will have deep implications for those that make their living selling used children’s items. It will have deep ramifications on our nation’s landfills as perfectly good and usable items are thrown away, rather than taking the risk of reselling them.

But this is only the tip of the iceberg. Check back tomorrow to see the implications for new children’s products, especially to us as home educators.

Go to Part 2.

For Me and My House ~ At Jesus’ feet,
Lisa @ Me and My House ~ Discipleship for Life!
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Order Christian & Home Ed Resources here

Get future posts to this blog by email: