Today is the day that the Consumer Product Safety Act goes into effect. I meant to update a while ago, but I got a response from Congresswoman Blackburn after writing (I’m sure she wrote it up herself just for me!).
Highlights:
“Though Congress enacted this legislation to prohibit unsafe consumer products from entering the stream of commerce, the bill has also introduced a string of unintended consequences that may impact small law-abiding businesses. After hearing your concerns I contacted the CPSC on your behalf [my behalf??!] and demanded further clarification on how this law will be enforced. What I learned from the CPSC is encouraging for small business owners in the consignment or second-hand goods retail business. According to the CPSC, Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.”
So, it looks like there are no breaks for the cute grandads and their trains, but I bet the enforcers of this law (whoever they may be) will not be too worried about them. We’ll see…