Etsy's Handmade Blog
Message from Senator DeMint: Call Your Senators about the CPSIA
Story by matt, Vanessa
Published on February 3, 2009 in Craftivism 		Photo by

Senator DeMint

We received the following message from Senator Jim DeMint, who wanted to alert the Etsy community to the legislation he's proposing. We urge concerned makers and collectors of children's items to get their individual voices heard. Etsy is hopeful that discussion will lead to child safety and micro-entrepreneurship reinforcing each other.   

First, I would like to thank everyone for all the hard work you have done highlighting the many issues surrounding the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for my colleagues. If it was not for your hard work, Capitol Hill would not be paying any attention to this issue. Save Handmade! BuyHandmade.org

Like you, I was pleased to see the stay of the testing requirement that the Consumer Product Safety Commission provided last week, but I am deeply concerned that it will be inadequate in protecting your businesses. Reporters for the Wall Street Journal summed the situation up quite well when they stated, “unless Congress acts, retailers and manufacturers still won't be allowed to sell products that don't comply with tougher lead standards that are set to take effect on Feb. 10.” While postponing the testing requirements is welcome news I’m not sure how helpful it is if retailers are not willing to sell your products for fear of massive legal liability. Further, we have seen that some interest groups are trolling shops looking for non-compliant products. This rightly scares retailers. It likely will scare them enough to tell suppliers who haven’t had their products tested to take their goods elsewhere.

Something needs to be done. We need to continue the fight and fix the law.

As many of you know, last week I announced that I am planning to offer legislation to fix the problems contained in the CPSIA.   I’m not going to relist the changes here, but if you haven’t already visited the posting I would encourage you to visit my blog.

However, to make these changes a reality, I’m going to need your help. You need you to call your senator. The number for the switchboard at the U.S. Senate is (202) 224-3121. When you call, tell the operator what state you’re from and that you’d like to speak to one of your senators. Tell them where you are from. Explain how this new law will impact your life. Ask them to support the legislation I am proposing. And be sure to thank them for taking the time to talk with you.

Sending letters to the CPSC isn’t enough. The CPSC can’t fix this problem. Congress needs to act and it is you who must encourage them to do so.

Again, thanks so much for your help with this. I’m going to try my hardest to fix this issue, but I’m going to need your help.  Please continue to get the word out on this issue. My staff will continue to post updates on this issue on my blog and on twitter. Please keep an eye on my blog and follow my staffer’s twitter for further information.

See more posts on the CPSIA issue on the Etsy blog.

Visit the Buy Handmade blog for more news.

Tags babies, baby, children, consumer safety, CPSC, CPSIA, Craftivism, CRAFTIVISM, kids, regulations, selling, Senator Jim DeMint, toys
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52 comments     Login to add your own!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:15 p.m. prettydreamer

Thanks for keeping us informed!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. RocketScienceShop

Wow! Thanks for your help. I know that lots of Etsians have been working hard on this. I will be calling my Senators...

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. breadandroses

Thank you for keeping us updated. Thank you Sen. DeMint for stepping up to the plate and proposing substative changes, not just delays.

To reiterate: we all must contact our state senators asap!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:24 p.m. BundleBaby

Thanks for this post with such relevant and useful information. I will continue to push forward with my calls and letters.

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. trafalgarssquare

I'm calling asap! thank you for your help, and if you had been my senator, I'd have voted for you! :)

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:48 p.m. bamdesigns

thanks for the post and the info- keep fighting the good fight

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:52 p.m. PhoterrificCards

Thank you for the update and links. I will share all information with others in my community. Many are uninformed of this law.

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:55 p.m. BabbidgePatch

Thank you for keeping the Etsy Community informed ~action is still needed!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 8:58 p.m. OhFaro

I called them both yesterday.

Thank you Senator DeMint, and thank you etsy!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9 p.m. GoldtoneDesigns

♥♥ ~~~Thank you for keeping us up to date Etsy~~~ ♥♥

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:04 p.m. woolies

I'll be calling tomorrow! Thank you for posting this!!!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. craftgasm

I don't agree with pretty much anything else Senator DeMint has said, but way to go on this! Thanks for keeping us informed on developments, Etsy.

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:15 p.m. IcingOnTheCupcake

Thank you for your support and the information!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:47 p.m. OceanGrrl

thanks for the info

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. babyannequilts

This is very hopeful news! Thanks for keeping us updated!!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:52 p.m. MommysMonkey

Thank you for the updates!

As a Canadian I would love to know what I can do to help out? It affects all of the Etsy community and I want to do my part - any suggestions?

Feb. 3, 2009 at 9:54 p.m. FlyingColors

Thank you Senator DeMint for your help on this delicate issue.
I will be calling my Senator about your legislation proposal.
Best regards :-)

Feb. 3, 2009 at 10:10 p.m. RaeGun

thanks for the update, this is very interesting. I'll be calling

Feb. 3, 2009 at 10:26 p.m. WhimsicalMom

I plan to call them again:)

Thank you Senator DeMint and Etsy!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 10:30 p.m. kittytrishia

Thank you so much for your time and hard work on this issue that effects us all Senator DeMint, it is more then greatly appreciated!

Feb. 3, 2009 at 11:22 p.m. TheCottageCheese

Thanks Senator DeMint for keeping this on your priority list!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. StelmaDesigns

While I do not sell childrens items, I have sent a letter to my senator and will call them if need be. This is an issue we all need to help on. Thank you Senator DeMint!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:29 a.m. gigglinggoldfish

Thank you very much for the update.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:38 a.m. dmollison

Thank you Senator DeMint! Your hard work on this matter is very appreciated. I will continue to push.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:07 a.m. berdandbee

This is great news for the toy manufacturing industry, who can now continue to flood the market with lead and phthalate-laden toys for our children to cuddle and suckle on. Thank you, Senator DeMint!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:42 a.m. soule

START CALLING that number!!!!!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 2:56 a.m. autumnsarrival

What a good man!! I will be calling!!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 3:11 a.m. ediekat

i am in canada..is there anything i can do to help? please let me know..and i will follow through..thanks..edie aka ediekat

Feb. 4, 2009 at 3:14 a.m. MGMart

Thank you for the update!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 3:40 a.m. Iammie

nice article, thanks

Feb. 4, 2009 at 7:26 a.m. dragonhouseofyuen

Thank you to Senator Jim DeMint for letting the etsy American folks know exactly what to do!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. pogoshop

Any hope for those of us using up-cycled fabrics? Our wools or cotton cloth won't be certified. We all know a washed wool sweater is safe, but it looks like those of us who are recycling are going to fall between the exemption cracks here. What a shame to outlaw something safe for children and good for the environment they'll inherit.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. bubbletime

Oh my goodness, thank you so much Senator DeMint!!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. MHolland

Thank you Senator DeMint from a South Carolinian etsian!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. dillydolly

Thank you, DeMint! Also and SC Etsian.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 11:43 a.m. littlebirdcreations

Thank you Senator DeMint! And thank you Etsy!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 11:59 a.m. elliettebaby

I just wrote to both of my senators encouraging them to approve these changes. Write or call your senator today!! They work for you, so speak your mind.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. sweetirie

WOW! It is great to hear a Senator so behind the little guys! Thank you Senator DeMint! I am not a maker of children's goodies myself, but I do support it and am hoping this can be stopped for the sake of handmade artists!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. Karmacrochet

Yay! I will be calling today when I get home. It is good to know that someone is listening.

Thank you Senator DeMint!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:08 p.m. ChristinaWard

Just spoke to Sen Herb Kohl's office. Ask him to co-sponsor your bill. They said they will call DeMint's office to find out more....

Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:08 p.m. HELICOPTERstudios

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 1:59 p.m. hillstfr

FYI - Senator DeMint intends to offer this amendment tomorrow (2/5/09).

Feb. 4, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. anorangehat

Hmmmmmm!Thanks for letting us know.

Feb. 4, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. moonstr

thank YOU!
and thanks for the fyi hillstfr!

Feb. 4, 2009 at 4:03 p.m. thewhimsytrove

Generally not a huge fan of Senator DeMint, but hey. Sometimes the enemy of yr enemy is yr friend...

Forwarding to a buncha people...

Feb. 5, 2009 at 12:37 a.m. emmiscottageetsy

Thank you so much... I just contacted my senator. We have to keep pushing forward.

Feb. 6, 2009 at 12:46 p.m. rozzissweetpeas

thanks for keeping us informed..yes we are still in the fight to get the law changed to protect babies and the handmade crafters who create for the babies...I am in touch with my senators and elected officials weekly now.

Feb. 6, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. LadybugLimited

I read about Sen. DeMint's legislation over the weekend and have contacted both of my senators. Let's get the word out Etsians! Thanks Sen. DeMint for bringing this into the spotlight here.

Feb. 6, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. lovalview

Jim DeMint Has proposed legislation to amend the CPSIA and his cosponsors on the bill are Senators Brownback ( Kansas), Chambliss(Georgia), Mike Crapo (Idaho), Vitter (Louisiana, and Wicker (Mississippi).

We need to keep pushing our legislators to support this legislation. Lets remind them all that if they are willing to approve $65 million dollars in the stimulus package to make sure people can have their TV, then they ought to be able to spare a few moments of their time to make sure that the parents of poor children can afford to buy them clothes and warm coats.

Lets remind them that it will cost our government nothing to correct this overreaching legislation, but it will cost small business and economically challenged families everything if they do not act.

Your letters to your legislators do make a difference. Send as many as you can, as often as you can. I have written my legislators every week on this issue and Jim DeMint responded!! One time I'm glad to claim my representative!!!!

Again - KEEP THE LETTERS GOING. DON'T GIVE THEM A BREAK, LET THEM KNOW YOU WILL BE HEARD.

Feb. 20, 2009 at 3:52 p.m. EnchantingBeautiful

cool thanks!

May 18, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ship421

Being new to etsy I am concerned about all legislation that would affect the handmade communuity. I have had my finishes tested and it is not cheap. We had a "boatwagon" prototype shipped to Buffalo, NY and tested for the chemistry and physical safety issues of a hand made custom ride-on wagon. What we discovered is there are few if any paint products in your Local Lowes or Home Depo with lead. Its been disapearing for years... check out the labels. Its more squeeze on the little people. Public memory is sometimes short. Remember all the china lead loaded stuff sent last Chrismas ! Speak -up before we can't sell anything without a lab test. Thank you etsy

July 12, 2009 at 12:51 a.m. Tina669

Thanks for this post with such relevant and useful information.

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