CPSIA- book banning in the guise of safety

Empty shelf due to CPSIA
Empty shelf due to CPSIA

February 10th was the day new lead standards rolled into place.  You may have seen there was a one year stay on testing of products.  Careful reading of the document points out two things.  This only applies to manfucaturers and importers, not distributors and retails.  The wording also makes it clear you’re still damned if you do, damned if you don’t.

From the linked document above:

Manufacturers and importers – large and small – of children’s products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and other requirements.”

Remember, ignorance is no excuse, so if you cannot prove they are safe, you may still be in trouble.  Also, the stay applies ONLY to the Consumer Product Safety Administration.  They won’t enforce it… but that doesn’t mean that state attorney generals with an ax to grind or that lawyers looking to sue won’t use this law against you.

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