Supporting small business

Back again! Just reading through the blog list, and saw Boogie's post on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, and how it affects home crafters.

In short, a law is currently being put in place to require lead and other testing in all products that can be used by children. It's meant to protect kids from hazardous imported toys, but has no clause to exempt small businesses and home crafters. The testing that this law would require is expensive, and will be far too much for individual crafters to pay. Want to know more?

As someone that enjoys being able to choose handmade over big-box, I think it's worth a few minutes to send an email and object, no? We have until the 20th (that's next Tuesday) to object. Maybe it's time for knitters raise their voices?

If you want to include yours, you can do so by writing the Consumer Product Safety Commission's Office of the Secretary, email Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

They can be faxed to (USA) 301 504-0127

Snailmail:
The Office of the Secretary,
Consumer Product Safety Commission,
Room 502, 4330 East-West Highway,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814 US.

Comments should be captioned: Section 102 Mandatory Third-Party Testing of Component Parts'

If you agree, please spread the word!