exemptions for small home-based businesses in the CPSIA
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is great in that it will protect our children from repeatedly being exposed to lead-filled toys from overseas. However, the law is currently written too broadly and will unfairly apply to small manufacturers of toys and clothing for children.  Toy craftsmen in Vermont making little wooden toys and seamstresses making handmade baby clothing will be put out of business, because it is impossible to have compliance testing done on every item.  Compliance tests costs hundreds of dollars and the toys may only sell for a few dollars. This law is going to result in the closure of many small businesses, unless exemptions are made for small companies, domestic home-based manufacturers of toys and clothing. Cloth diapers are not the problem, hand-knit baby hats are not the problem, this law must be narrowed to focus on the actual danger of exposure of lead to our children. Â