CPSIA Talking Points

Posted by Valerie on January 19, 2009

As you’re writing and making calls, here are some suggested talking points.

Don’t use them all; pick a few that you can effectively address based on your own experience as a parent, grandparent, or retailer. Be respectful and brief. Letters should be under one page. Written letters and phone calls are best. Faxes are good. (E-Mail is thought to be less effective, but can’t hurt in addition to some other contact.)

1. CPSIA creates the strong potential for overwhelming catastrophe in an already unstable economy.
2. Putting parents out of business and raising the cost of all children’s products does not help children.
3. We are not in favor of press releases hinting at selective enforcement. Only repeal or substantial revision will provide long-term security for the marketplace–for retailers and consumers alike.
4. This law creates a tremendous burden on any and every “small batch” children’s industry–everything from homeschooling to special needs to home crafting and more.
5. We object to the impending loss of diversity in the marketplace. If you ever buy children’s products outside of the mainstream marketplace, then give examples of changes that could impact your own family.
6. Lead cannot harm children unless it is in a form that can be ingested or inhaled. Most children’s products that contain trace amounts of lead are not at all harmful. Our freedoms as parents and retailers should not be impinged without a known risk of harm.
7. Aside from lead jewelry and lead paint, there is no known, significant risk of injury–and the CPSC already had the power to recall any dangerous children’s products.
8. Lack of regulation did not cause this problem, so increased regulation cannot be expected to help. Instead of regulating American businesses making and selling safe products, we need enforcement of current standards at our border.
9. Small businesses don’t want to be told that the CPSC has no immediate plans to come after them. Small businesses want to be LEGAL.
10. CPSIA invites frivolous lawsuits and creates new liabilities for retailers. This will damage the marketplace by increasing the cost of children’s products.
11. Children’s books and educational products should never be restricted; parents and teachers can be trusted to use them safely, without governmental intrusion.
12. Thrift stores and used book stores are an important part of our culture and economy. Their owners should not be left with an unreasonable burden on their consciences.
13. This legislation rewards the big retailers who imported the lead from their own foreign factories while it severely oppresses their small competitors and is likely to put many out of businesses.
14. The age range is beyond reasonable. Children over three generally don’t chew paint or eat toys.
15. Current inventory should be excepted. Loss of current inventory generally means bankruptcy for a retailer, since any product known to be dangerous can be easily recalled already. Even without CPSIA, 200,000 stores are expected to close in 2009; we really don’t need more job losses than we expect already.
16. CPSIA calls for a revisiting of this controversy again in 2011 and at least every 5 years thereafter as all pre-existing products are required to have lower and lower levels of total lead.
17. CPSIA calls for lead levels to go “as low as technologically feasible.” This is not a reasonable standard if the real goal is protection of children’s health.
18. Whatever costs a manufacturer or retailer will increase costs to consumers. I’m already paying enough for children’s products.

Trace amounts of lead are not usually risky, but we understand that if lead is ingested or inhaled in a sufficient quantity, it can harm or even kill. If you have an old house with cracking or peeling paint, get it checked out. Avoid painted toys, metal toys, and older toys for children under age three or children who still mouth their toys at any age. Avoid children’s metal jewelry, unless you are sure about it, and teach older children never to suck or taste toys or jewelry.  (Some Dollar Store and Hannah Montana jewelry has tested at lead levels of 50% or more–potentially deadly if swallowed.)