Learn About CPSIA
The CPSIA was an important legislative contribution to efforts to strengthen product safety laws for children's products. Although well-intentioned, if left unaltered, on February 10th, 2009 children's resale, consignment and nonprofit thrifts currently selling gently-used children's items will be forced to close or close their children's departments to consumers. The work of nonprofit organizations like Goodwill, Salvation Army and many smaller groups will be severely impacted.
It's a complicated law. It will give you a headache to read it in it's legislative format. Even reading the CPSC's FAQ's will probably give you a headache. But below are some of the best, most informed recaps of the law and how it affects the resale and thrift industry:
The Smart Mama - 'Simple Steps to Non-Toxic Kids' . A great website. Read about Jennifer's background. If you are confused about this law and how it impacts you or your business, Jennifer provides some of the most easily understandable presentations of it I've yet to find on the web.
The Fashion-Incubator - 'Lessons from the Sustainable Factory Floor'. A wonderful website that also has been at the forefront of helping people, particularly the small business owner that makes manufactures their own children's clothing and toys, understand this law.
Los Angeles Times - January 2, 2009 printed an article entitled, 'New Safety Rules for Children's Clothes Have Stores in a Fit' that talks about the law and it's affects kid's resale, consignment and thrift.
The Seattle Times - January 4th, 2009 printed an article entitled, 'When Rules Trump Ingenuity', about the law and it's impact on local kid's resale store owner Wendy Powell.
'Last fall when Wall Street was in meltdown and the credit system was in a freeze, Wendy Powell, a Seattle mom and former software marketer, did the opposite of what the gloom-and-doom forecasts advised. She didn't hunker down. She plunged into her first business.'