CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products (follow the law-- but we won't check)

It's been difficult to cover the CPSIA drama. We all celebrated when lead and phthalates were banned as part of a CPSC reform act. This same act has caused much trouble and consternation for local and handmade toy, apparel and makers and supporters. Of course, the law's intention was to test and enforce toy safety for those huge toy companies who outsource their production to China and don't oversee the quality of the parts, paints and plastics. These are the companies who lost our trust back in 2007, not the mom and pop handmade products made in the U.S. with mostly natural materials. But these are the folks who were most likely to go out of business certifying that their products are safe. I do think it is important that everyone tests for safety. I know there have been many proposals for ways to handle this, by folks more educated about this issue then I am.

So that was probably the reason the CPSC enacted this one year stay. This will give the CPSC more time to review how to handle the challenges this law brings for different parties.

"The stay of enforcement provides some temporary, limited relief to the crafters, children’s garment manufacturers and toy makers who had been subject to the testing and certification required under the CPSIA. These businesses will not need to issue certificates based on testing of their products until additional decisions are issued by the Commission. However, all businesses, including, but not limited to, handmade toy and apparel makers, crafters and home-based small businesses, must still be sure that their products conform to all safety standards and similar requirements, including the lead and phthalates provisions of the CPSIA."

But this is confusing. The CPSC is saying that all toy makers must conform to new safety standards but no one will be checking that they do so. Huh? Here's the law, and follow it, but no one will ask you or look to see if you are following it. I know they are in a hard spot, but this is confusing and certainly not making me feel good about the safety of toys on the shelves. At least our handmade toymakers and small businesses can work with the CPSC to develop solutions to make sure that all toys and products our kids use are safe. Until then, all we can do is wait.

image: PaperSeed