Did you know that new regulations are coming into effect soon in the US, to ensure that children aren’t exposed to harmful chemicals? Following recalls last year involving more than 18 million toys, lawmakers realized that the public wasn’t being well-served by existing regulations. Lead was still appearing where it’s most concerning – in children’s products. To address the concerns the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was passed.
In addition to lead, the CPSIA bans phthalates in toys and other children’s items. Phthalates make plastic soft and flexible, but they have been linked to a number of nasty health effects. After Canada took the lead on bisphenol A, I was a little bit disappointed that we seemed to be missing the boat on phthalates. My hope was that once the ban came into effect in the US in February, that we would see phthalate-free toys sold widely here. In any case, I am a big fan of handmade natural toys, which don’t contain the same alarming chemicals.
So, I was very disappointed when Christina over at Bamboletta clued me in to problems with the CPSIA. It seems that as well-intentioned as the legislation may be, it poses a very expensive obstacle to people who make handmade toys. The act requires testing and labelling that may cost thousands of dollars per item, which is out of reach of smaller home-based businesses. The Handmade Toy Alliance is working to change the act, but the deadline is fast approaching. Some European toymakers, whose toys have long been manufactured to much more stringent standards than North American toys, are even pulling out of the US altogether.
Hannah with her Bamboletta doll
No one’s suggesting that children’s toys shouldn’t be as safe as they can possibly be. Many of the small businesses that will be affected have long been committed to safety and quality well beyond what the CPSIA addresses. However, they simply cannot afford the certification process. And this doesn’t affect only US businesses, either. Canadian manufacturers often sell a lot of goods in the US, and they will have to undergo the process or stop selling their products across the border.
If you’re American you can contact your elected representatives to share any concerns you have about the CPSIA. the people over at the Handmade Toy Alliance have a form letter, as well as proposed amendments to the act. Hopefully a solution can be found that will both protect children and ensure that small businesses can continue to operate and sell their children’s items in the US.
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