The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and Your Business

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If your business has anything to do with products for children I hope you are aware of and are following changes to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. Passed by Congress in August 2008, the CPSIA enforces new lead and phthalate standards for children’s products, and requires extensive testing of all products marketed to children 12 and under. Many small businesses, crafters and used merchandise retailers have been particularly concerned about this legislation, as they feel that the testing requirements may be unduly burdensome for their products. The law was intended to go into full effect on February 10, 2009, but on January 20, 2009 the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a document to delay particular requirements for testing and certification.

Many are still concerned about how this act will affect their businesses, and are lobbying for changes. The following resources offer more information on the legislation.

From the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Information on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Guide to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.pdf

Subscribe to the email list for CPSIA updates: https://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsialist.aspx (I’d highly recommend signing up, since updates seem very likely!)

CPSIA - Full Text of the Law: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf

Forums & blogs with perspectives from crafters and retailers:

Etsy Blog: CPSIA Posts http://www.etsy.com/storque/search/tags/CPSIA/
Etsy Forum: CPSIA http://www.etsy.com/forums_board.php?forum_id=5000002
Upscale Baby Blog: CPSIA Archive http://upscalebaby.com/blog/topics/cpsia/

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