Toys for Congress (New law will soon bankrupt thousands of businesses)

Wall Street Journal ^ | February 6, 2009

[Zakeet]

The runaway train that is the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is heading toward a collision next Tuesday. That's when new federal rules will make it illegal to sell some children's products, if Congress doesn't amend its awful handiwork.

This week hundreds of people from the children's garment and publishing industries rallied in New York to protest the law and call for a "new Miracle on 34th Street" to save them from what some are calling National Bankruptcy Day.

The uproar is over a law requiring that all products primarily intended for children under 12 must certify they have not exceeded new limits for lead content. The rules apply retroactively, meaning that many stores, including thrift stores, may have to empty their shelves. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to delay the requirements for one year but this will have little practical impact: The lead standards still apply and retailers don't want to carry uncertified products lest they become targets of plaintiffs attorneys and state attorneys general.

[Snip]

This is the same Congress about to spend uncountable billions on a bill that may stimulate little or nothing. The least the Members can do is take a moment to adjust the lead law to prevent avoidable and real damage to thousands of businesses.

[Zakeet]

It's my understanding that any of you Freepers who peddle old toys in a garage sale can also be sued out of existence.

But at least you can take comfort knowing the Big Nanny is protecting us from the greatest danger since Global Warming in the process.

[SubMareener]

The “invisible foot” of government isn’t so invisible any more! This is CHANGE WE CAN BELIEVE IN! Comrade!

[Man50D]

Such busy little socialists at work.

[Slapshot68]

I say we just stop selling toys altogether. Problem solved.

[pappyone]

I see this only applies to childrens toys. I guess those folks who use adult toys will have to take their chances..he he.

[Diogenesis]

The usual brown-bag payoff to Congress by the lobbyists should clear this up in no time.

[jmcenanly]

It is a wonder that any of us survived childhood.

[Richard Kimball]

Unfortunately, few laws are passed with genuine deliberation. They are passed because of campaign contributions by those who want an advantage or based on fear of bad publicity.

Few in government ever consider the law of unintended consequences. They also assume that they can regulate the laws of nature and that everyone has unlimited resources to comply with their regulations.

[Ezekiel]

When toys are outlawed only Congress will have toys.

[OldBlondBabe]

Unfortunately, this law does not apply only to toys, but to ALL products (clothes, bedding, furniture, books, toiletries, strollers, car seats...)intended for use by children 12 and under.

[allmost]

Can’t wait until they start swabbing parents for ‘undesirable contaminants’. For the children of course. /s

[DYngbld]

This law has already closed the doors of many small business. (ones that sell hand crafted toys for kids)

My wife can no longer GIVE a hand knitted baby blanket to someone with a new born.

[Condor51]

The uproar is over a law requiring that all products primarily intended for children under 12 must certify they have not exceeded new limits for lead content. The rules apply retroactively,

BULL-feathers
I'll be darned if I'm taking my Grangkids toys away...


I lost the 'Jacks' so we use these.

;-)

[shezza]

It's more than just toys: "Under the new law, retailers must pay close attention to cribs, play yards, jewelry, painted or metal toys and more."

I heard an interview with a manufacturer of hand puppets and he said that even the cloth and the accessories all need to be tested -- individually -- and certified. If a 12-yard bolt of cloth is cut into 24 pieces to make 24 puppets, the same bolt of cloth has to be tested and certified 24 times, he said. The cost could add several dollars to the manufacturing cost of every single item, which is certainly passed along to the consumer. Interestingly enough, the same testing/certification requirement is also demanded of already-created goods, even at yard sales, consignment shops, Goodwill, (ebay?) for every single item designed for use by a child under 12.

I wonder which company that makes the new lead testing kits lobbied for this legislation. "The problem is how stores know if a product contains lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends not using the home lead tests, citing the kits don’t work."