Government Makes Clarification, Used Children's Books are Safe!

Today the government has issued an update to it's CPSIA safety testing requirements for children's products:

"Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.

The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties."

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

This shows that people pulling together CAN make a difference!

The original posting about the can be found at:
http://jackiewilson.blogspot.com/2009/01/throwing-book-at-booksellers-and-other.html

Other articles about the governmental update and clarification:
http://www.babble.com/CS/blogs/strollerderby/archive/2009/01/08/thrift-shops-struggle-under-new-phthalate-lead-ban.aspx

http://www.wmur.com/money/18441112/detail.html?taf=man

1/9 Addendum:
I just wanted to make a comment on the governments updates/clarifications on H.R. 4040 based on some of the comments and emails I've been getting.

The governmental clarifications ("exemptions" in theory) ONLY cover USED items for children 12 and under. This still means that NEW BOOKS for children 12 and under will need safety certification. By whom is still unclear to me - By the publisher? By the bookstores? What about independently published children's authors? I'm still trying to find answers to these questions.

Additionally, the clarifications still do not cover independent businesses providing new items for children 12 and under (like the mom's who have online businesses and make all-natural products for children).

This means that our fight is still not over! We still need to fight for the exemption of small businesses who cannot afford this costly safety testing and who do not sell lead-based products. Please help:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman 888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx

Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code.
http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4) Sign the petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

5)Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same!

See all the gory details up close and personal at
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

We have already made a difference for used retailers/resellers. Let's continue the fight!

ADDENDUM: Clarifications were released on January 8 after this post was written. However, the fight is not over as it still affects MANY MANY children's items. We need your help!