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Toymakers Assail Costs of New Law
Washington Post ^ | Lyndsey Layton and Annys Shin

Posted on 01/01/2009 7:07:28 AM PST by OldBlondBabe

Selecta, a German toymaker, carves whimsical cars and characters from native woods, colors them with vegetable dyes and coats them in silky beeswax. No lead, no toxic varnishes. Not even waste -- the company heats its factory with leftover woodchips. Just the kind of toymaker in demand after scares about tainted playthings from China.

But this holiday season, Selecta is preparing to pull out of the U.S. market. Its problem, executives say, is consumer legislation that is adding crushing costs to selling toys in America.

The law, which takes effect Feb. 10, was passed by Congress in response to recalls of lead-laced toys and growing health concerns about chemicals in plastics. The $22 billion toy industry says the requirements have created confusing bureaucratic layers and startling new costs that will decimate a business already struggling through a punishing recession.

For the first time, manufacturers will have to pay independent testing laboratories to verify that every component of a product meets new limits for lead and does not contain six chemicals that Congress has banned from plastic children's products.

Read here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/20/AR2008122001878.html

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: congress; hr4040; manufacturing; toys
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I am a crafter...I buy fabric and notions to make clothing and other items, and also purchase ready to wear and embellish it with embroidery and sell it to others. Many of my items are for children and babies. I just recently learned of this legislation from another crafter who makes wooden toys for children. This legislation will also affect grandmas knitting afghans and booties for babies to sell at church bazaars.

From what I have read, this legislation will even affect those reselling toys and other children's items at garage sales. This has serious implications for many small businesses. Offenders face steep fines and even prison.

1 posted on 01/01/2009 7:07:29 AM PST by OldBlondBabe
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To: OldBlondBabe

http://www.craftlister.com/message_board.php?PageType=ShowPost&PostID=6512

Here is a link to a discussion about this at Craftlister.com.


2 posted on 01/01/2009 7:10:26 AM PST by OldBlondBabe
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To: OldBlondBabe
Consider my problem, I make lead fishing lures called jigs ... In my secret workshop at an undisclosed location, out behind Evil-Chenney’s house in ....

The fishing lure part is true

If it moves, tax it, if it still moves regulate it, still twitching, shoot it.

3 posted on 01/01/2009 7:13:53 AM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: OldBlondBabe

And people wonder WHY the good-paying jobs left America???


4 posted on 01/01/2009 7:14:26 AM PST by tcrlaf (You Voted DEMOCRAT-You'll Look GREAT In A Burqa!)
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To: Tarpon
I make lead fishing lures called jigs

Is that racist?

5 posted on 01/01/2009 7:15:47 AM PST by al baby (Hi mom Mr. Obama, are you aware that Sarah Palin took on her own partyÂ’s establishment in Alaska a)
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To: al baby

Looks to me like the jig is up!


6 posted on 01/01/2009 7:18:31 AM PST by basil (Support the 2nd Amendment--buy another gun today)
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To: al baby

re: Is that racist?

Only the made for use at Halloween, the ones that go “Boo!”


7 posted on 01/01/2009 7:18:40 AM PST by jwparkerjr (God Bless America!)
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To: al baby

only if his company is “Aboo Lures”


8 posted on 01/01/2009 7:18:44 AM PST by xcamel (The urge to save humanity is always a false front for the urge to rule it. - H. L. Mencken)
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To: OldBlondBabe
Wow. The hypocrites. If they really cared about children why wait to protect them? Why not stop their mothers from murdering them in the womb?

Typical communist BS if you ask me.

Let's hope that after Obombanation's first term we still have the freedom cast a vote.

9 posted on 01/01/2009 7:20:12 AM PST by The Anti-One (So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.)
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To: al baby

Everything is racist now ...


10 posted on 01/01/2009 7:22:11 AM PST by Tarpon (America's first principles, freedom, liberty, market economy and self-reliance will never fail.)
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To: OldBlondBabe
My tagline is a quote from Mark Twain that certainly applies here:

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."

11 posted on 01/01/2009 7:23:08 AM PST by Iron Munro (Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself)
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To: OldBlondBabe

This really is a huge problem. The folks over at Etsy are going nuts too.

Talk about killing the small business!


12 posted on 01/01/2009 7:24:17 AM PST by kimmie7 (***sigh***)
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To: Iron Munro

Isn’t that the truth!


13 posted on 01/01/2009 7:24:55 AM PST by kimmie7 (***sigh***)
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To: Tarpon

“Consider my problem, I make lead fishing lures called jigs ...”

You inconsiderate of the environment, the ozone algorites will NOT be pleased. In addition, you have no feelings for the poor little fishies that will bite on these vile things... PETA will NOT be pleased.
BTW, do they look like the “Anointed One”? IF so, you could be also be violating some federal statue about using his likeness is some form of obsure effigy to entice something fishy. You sir, are just politically incorrect and probably in some verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry deep doo-doo. Don’t be surprised when the “men in black” with cool sunglasses show up at your door.
Where can I buy some? :)))


14 posted on 01/01/2009 7:25:08 AM PST by lgjhn23
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To: tcrlaf

This will also affect schools and churches raising money through craft shows and auctions. According to this law, I will not be able to sell or even donate to charity any of the items I’ve already made up. Most of these items are t-shirts, bibs and totes, decorated with embroidery. Now all of a sudden, according to congress I need to test them to make sure they’re safe for children! What about those donations of “gently-used” children’s clothing to shelters? Looks like that may be affected as well.

The nuts are running the nuthouse.


15 posted on 01/01/2009 7:25:28 AM PST by OldBlondBabe
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To: OldBlondBabe

“...confusing bureaucratic layers and startling new costs...” Let’s see...several hundred lawyers, all working to buy just as many votes as humanly possible and none with even a passing familiarity with business or free enterprise. Yep. Sounds like our congress at work!


16 posted on 01/01/2009 7:26:28 AM PST by Oldpuppymax (AGENDA OF THE LEFT EXPOSED)
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Comment #17 Removed by Moderator

To: OldBlondBabe
Lawyers making laws to enrich lawyers, it's for the children don't ya know. Kind makes you want to go to law school to get in on the bonanza.
18 posted on 01/01/2009 7:28:46 AM PST by fella (.He that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough." Pv.28:19')
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To: OldBlondBabe

I wonder how many children have actually suffered harm because these regulations were not in place. I would bet very few. As is typical of government, we have no cost benefit analysis, and these new regulation appear poised to ruin an entire industry as well as many other time tested activities. It happens all of the time but the stupids in the press will NEVER question the wisdom of the all powerfull government idiots. This is not about protecting us, it is just more regulation meant to CONTROL us by an out of control congress.


19 posted on 01/01/2009 7:29:09 AM PST by government is the beast
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To: OldBlondBabe

It boils down to COMPLETE CONTROL!

Anything to control us but let the Chinese and others do as they please.


20 posted on 01/01/2009 7:31:32 AM PST by TribalPrincess2U (Welcome to Obama's America... Be afraid, be very afraid)
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