update on Consumer Products Act

I just got off the phone with a nice lady at the Consumer Products Safety Commission and feel much more calm than I was a few days ago. Yesterday the Commission put out a bulletin that stated that used products were exempt from lead testing. So thrift stores and children's consignment stores as well as the parents who shop there are safe from closure.

However, there was still the issue of small and cottage industries such as moms who make diapers, slings, quilts, etc. from having to test every item which folks say costs between $500-$4000 per component. It seems that the onus for safety should be on the manufacturer of the fabric, leather, metal... instead of the person who uses it to make something. Why should the regulations be different for a person making a dress for themselves vs. making one to sell to their neighbor? Shouldn't the materials be safe for all?

So after expressing these concerns to the Commission's staff member she stated that they will be issuing more clarifications and exemptions in regards to these very citizens. She said she couldn't tell me to ignore the law, but she said that they will be focusing their efforts on those products that pose the greatest risk and I should "read between the lines."

So... it seems that we won one small battle for American families and small businesses, but we must be constantly vigilant, since there seems to be ever more pushing for Brave New World policies in our nation.