Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label articles. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Law that is a victory for crafters-regarding lead testing

Law that is a Victory for Crafters!
*Not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing,distributing, or selling
**a children's product to the extent that it is made of certain naturalmaterials, such as wood, cotton, wool, or certain metals and alloys which the Commission has recognized rarely, if ever, contain lead;
**an ordinary children's book printed after 1985; or
**dyed or undyed textiles (not including leather, vinyl or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children's apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets.
(The Commission generally will not prosecute someone for making, selling or distributing items in these categories even if it turns out that such an item actually contains more than 600 ppm lead.)Sellers will not be immune from prosecution if CPSC's Office of Compliance finds that someone had actual knowledge that one of these children's products contained more than 600 ppm lead or continued to make, import, distribute or sell such a product after being put on notice. Agency staff will seek recalls of violative children's products or other corrective actions, where appropriate.
*Issue an interim final rule effective February 10, 2009, which establishes alternative lead limits for certain electronic devices, in order to prevent unnecessary removal of certain children's products from store shelves.
*Accept a manufacturer's determination that a lead-containing part on their product is inaccessible to a child and not subject to the new lead limits, if it is consistent with the Commission's proposed guidance or is based on a reasonable reading of the inaccessibility requirement.Paint and other coatings or electroplating are not considered barriers that make a component inaccessible.
This enforcement policy will remain in effect until superseded by action of the Commission.
CPSC still expects companies to meet their reporting obligation under federal law and immediately tell the Commission if they learn of a children's product that exceeds the new lead limits starting on February10, 2009. Companies also should know that the CPSIA generally prohibits the export for sale of children's products that exceed the new lead limits.
As announced on January 30, 2009, the Commission approved a one year stay of enforcement for certain testing and certification requirements for manufacturers and importers. Significant to makers of children's products, the 'stay' provides limited relief from the testing andcertification for total lead content limits, phthalates limits for certain products and mandatory toy standards. Manufacturers andimporters - large and small - of children's products will not need to test or certify to these new requirements, but will still need to meet the lead and phthalates limits, mandatory toy standards and otherrequirements. Certification based on testing by an accredited laboratory is still required for painted children's products and soon will be required for children's metal jewelry, as well as certain other products for non-lead issues.....
In other words, this law originally was going to put folks like me, and any other small business owner that made anything for children under the age of 12 TOO cost prohibitive, and now, thankfully, someone inside came to their collective senses and "we" can go one merrily producing our dolls,afgans,quilts,wooden trains, etc...without fear..!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Craft articles for sale at shows

Craft Articles for sale predominantly at most shows:
1. Baskets and wreaths
2. pottery
3.holiday (the nearest one obviously) wooden plaques
4.cookie dough
5.painted plates
6.various doll heads/magnets
7.pillows
8.crocheted hand towels
9.Christmas decorations
10. jewelry of all expense types
11.candles/dried flower arrangements
12.hand towels,quilted items,needlepoint pictures
13.wooden welcome signs
14.all types of birds in their nests
15."Pampered Chef"
16."Discovery Toys"
17.ponchos (like the kind from Mexico)
18.imported coffee/candy/nuts
19."Tupperware"
20.wind chimes
21.wind socks
22.candles/angels
23."Avon"
24.At least 5 tables with the current two holiday crafts out of various mediums
25.Christmas themed "eggs"
26.bath oils,soaps
27.congratulations bears with mugs,balloons
28.hats-derby,golf,humorous
29.massage chair 10 mins=$10
30.throw rugs (crocheted or woven from rags) very colorful
31.wooden welcome signs- again
32.hat & booties (knit) $12
33.pillow shams
34.scrunchies,picture frames, Halloween pins of the Dollar store type
35.fleece blankets and hats
36. bird houses
37. my table consisting mainly of: afghans,purses, crocheted baby sweater sets, sewn and crocheted pet clothes, ponchos, and small items.
What I believe was sorely missing--no leather goods, no fudge, no jellies, no stationery...