| Home > Community > Forums > CPSIA > congressman Jim Matheson FINALLY acknowledges me! |
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| congressman Jim Matheson FINALLY acknowledges me! |
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vloutextiles says: |
Here is an email I got from Jim Matheson today. As a co-sponsor of the bill he has been strangely quiet until now as far as I know.
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Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). By contacting me on issues important to you, I am better able to represent Utah in Congress.
Public alarm over toy and product safety focused attention on the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is in charge of product recalls. More than 8 million toys were recalled in 2008 alone. In response, Congress enacted the CPSIA in late 2008. It is intended to improve safety standards for children's toys, a goal I strongly support.
CPSIA created new lead limits for toys and clothes for kids ages 12 and under. Before the law, lead content was only regulated in paint. The new testing provisions and limits apply only to manufacturers and sellers of private-label goods. Retailers are not required to test and certify products and small businesses are not required to re-test anything. However, it is important to remember that things like zippers and buttons previously contained lead. That is why the CPSC is directed under the law to reasonably interpret how companies and small businesses can comply. Unfortunately, the CPSC has not provided enough clarity and guidance to small businesses looking to responsibly uphold high standards for children's toys and products.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee are currently looking into this issue. I am a member of the Committee with a particular interest in helping families. I think the CPSC should provide quick, common sense interpretations of the new law. This will likely include reasonable exemptions for small businesses, retailers such as thrift stores, and products that have already been tested through the production process. In fact, the law expressly acknowledged that some products are riskier than others, while some products and materials will be granted exemptions from the pre-testing requirements if they do not present a risk of harm.
The CPSC has been slow to respond to concerns expressed by small businesses. I will continue to encourage the Commission to quickly address this matter. At a minimum, the CPSC should at least inform smaller manufacturers and retailers how to comply with the new legal requirements, especially in terms of working with second-hand sellers to ensure compliance with safety standards. I will also update you regarding this important issue.
Again, thank you for sharing your concerns with me. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact my office. |
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Posted at 2:20 pm, February 6 2009 EST - Report this post
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RuthsCreations says: |
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Another one playing the hot-potato game, throwing it back at the CPSC when we all know Congress is the only entity that can do anything about this. :-( |
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Posted at 2:51 pm, February 6 2009 EST - Report this post
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