Stop CPSIA: Help save handmade!

You can't have missed all the reports in the news recently about dangerous levels of lead and phthalates in mass-produced childrens' toys. It's a scary thing to hear about as a new mom who wants the brightest and best future for her kids. But, as it is often wont to do, Congress has responded to the problem by taking extraordinary measures that in the end can do more harm than good.

The Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a well-intentioned bill, like most. It seeks to regulate the levels of lead and phthalates allowable in products intended for children under the age of 12. But the law does not restrict itself to large manufacturers, and in fact gives some of them a loophole to avoid responsibility. Instead of placing responsibilities for testing on the original manufacturer of products like fabrics, yarns, sewing notions, paints, or other craft products, the law requires that the creator of the final product do batch testing to make sure that they fall within the safety regulations. The tests needed are prohibitively expensive for a small business, especially when you take into account the very nature of some handmade items that are limited in quantity or even one of a kind. Worse yet, some of the tests are destructive, making limited items difficult and one of a kind items impossible!

Simply put, CPSIA will endanger, if not destroy, thousands of small businesses and hobby businesses across the country. It even makes me nervous to give handmade gifts to children. Will Big Brother stop me from making baby booties for a friend or try to take away the handmade quilts from my daughter? Heaven forbid.

For more in-depth information and updates, you can check out http://coolmompicks.com/savehandmade/ and http://www.endangeredwhimsy.com/. Cool Mom Picks can also show you how to contact your Congress person. Make your voice heard and save our handmade future!