Posts Tagged ‘2008’
CPSIA 2008′s new safety laws are hurting local toymakers and businesses.
Katie Steuernagle of Rochester, Minnesota makes and sells handmade toys out of her home and is concerned that CPSIA 2008′s new testing standards will be so costly, she will be put out of business.
Katie, who appeared on the Martha Stewart show last week (December 2008) said she started the business as an alternative to Chinese imports, which proved last year to be the impetus for the new strict lead testing laws that go into effect February 10, 2009.
Video from a report by KTTC Rochester, Minnesota, Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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http://www.kttc.com/global/story.asp?s=9535256
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Duration : 0:3:9
Wooden toymaker Mike Rainville, owner of Middlebury-based Maple Landmark Woodcraft, had his best year yet in 2008. But will the new regulations for lead testing imposed by the CPSIA 2008 hurt his successful business?
Video from Fox44 Burlington, Vermont- December 23, 2008
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New Regulations Trouble Local Toymakers
Posted: Dec 23, 2008 09:33 PM
Updated: Dec 23, 2008 09:38 PM
Toy safety regulations passed by Congress in August could pose a threat to small toy manufacturers in Vermont and across the country, local toymakers said Tuesday.
The law, called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, requires mechanical and chemical testing of all toys, many of which must be tested on an annual basis.
“It’s expensive; it’s time consuming. And we’re still all trying to sort it out because it’s all so new,” said Mike Rainville, owner of Middlebury-based Maple Landmark Woodcraft.
Rainville said he hasn’t figured out the dollar-for-dollar impact on his bottom line yet, because required testing doesn’t completely take effect until February 2009. However, he estimated it would cost several hundred dollars to test one toy. Maple Landmark Woodcraft has nearly 900 different toy models.
“It’s a lot of money to come up with,” Rainville said. “It’s gonna impact some smaller companies far worse than it will impact us. And the big companies that were the problem in the first place aren’t really gonna see much impact at all in their costs.”
Additionally, Rainville said larger manufacturers that import toys also test their toys overseas. That means testing is cheaper for them, another competitive advantage, he said.
Still, Rainville said his company, which had its best year in 2008 in its 29-year history, should make it through alright, even if he must raise prices.
Please go to the Fox44 website to comment-
http://www.fox44.net/Global/story.asp?S=9574256
Duration : 0:2:2
GONE! Customers stand bewildered at Northwest istance Ministries resale store in Houston, staring at empty shelves and racks at a thrift store in Houston, Texas- ALL THE CHILDRENS’ ITEMS ARE GONE! CPSIA regulations, despite a one year stay of enforcement regarding lead testing and certification, scare store owners into getting rid of items for children 12 and under because of potential fines! Retailers are still liable if an item with unacceptable lead limits is sold. Target and Walmart also took extra measures to remove potential offenders.
(Afraid to go to local thrift store in my hometown- will I still be able to buy kid’s items at deep discount in these terrible economic times?)
Video from KTRK ABC13 Houston
From a broadcast Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=6651903
Duration : 0:2:50
CPSIA 2008′s new safety law are hurting local toymakers and businesses.
Video from a report by CBS3 Springfield, Massachusetts, Tuesday, December 16, 2008
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http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/36263864.html
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Toy Safety Legislation Hurting Local Toymakers
By Miranda Grossman
Story Published: Dec 16, 2008 at 6:48 PM EST
Story Updated: Dec 16, 2008 at 6:48 PM EST
This holiday season is not looking so festive for local toy stores and toymakers. Changes in toy safety legislation have helped ban toxic toys imported from China, but may also be ruining the livelihood of local businesses.
Kate Glynn has worked hard to ensure the toys she sells at her Northampton store are non-toxic and made in the U.S. But she could be losing some of her best-selling products because of new toy safety legislation.
“I don’t want to say its going to break my business, I don’t want to be pessimistic, but I am very concerned,” said Glynn, Owner of ‘A Child’s Garden’ in Northampton.
After thousands of toys, mostly from China, were recalled in 2007, Congress passed tougher regulations. The new rules ban lead in toys and mandate third party-testing and certification. While Glynn thinks the legislation is long overdue, she says it will increase costs for small businesses that will have to pay for testing.
“My vendors are trying to figure out which lines to trim because they cant afford testing,” said Glynn. “I am looking at losing lines, or having to increase costs, because if the toys are going to cost the manufacturer more money, it is going to be passed on to me.”
Glynn is part of the Handmade Toy Alliance, who wants to see natural materials like wood, silk and wool be exempt from testing or financial help for small businesses. The new rules are being phased in now, and will fully take effect next summer.
Duration : 0:1:58
Tiffany Bjorlie who owns Lundeby’s Ecobaby knows all too well how the CPSIA is affecting what items she carries in her Tulsa shop. She explains how Selecta has pulled their eco-friendly toys from the US market. And toys are not the only items that could run scarce. That sweet handmade dress for your little princess or 100% organic cotton onesie for your bouncing baby boy may be on the “extinct” handmade list as well due to stringent testing that will go into force per the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act on February 10, 2009. AND HANDMADE BABY BOOTIES if not TESTED will be ILLEGAL!
Video from KOTV NewsOn6.com Tulsa, Oklahoma
Broadcast Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9583225&nav=menu682_2
Duration : 0:2:27
Goodwill is gleaning through children’s items that they will allow to be sold in their stores per new regulations now in place with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which went into affect February 10, 2009. A rep with a large notebook explained that Goodwill has always been proactive in pulling recalled childrens’ items. At least this thrift store chain appears to be using some commons sense and at least in Omaha, Nebraska, isn’t making it policy to not sell anything for children!
Video from KPTM Fox42 Omaha, Nebraska
Broadcast Monday, February 9, 2009
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http://www.kptm.com/Global/story.asp?s=9816275
Duration : 0:2:32