I'm sure you know but..

..just in case you didn't, click on teddy to find out more.
For so many small producers the choice is going to be a very stark one. Stop trading or break the law.
This skirt on Etsy is listed for the legally acceptable price of $15,160. Click on it if you want to find out why.
I am considering opening a Folksy store for my toys until this is sorted. I don't have the time, I could do without the extra admin, and I'm happy at Etsy.
But will I be breaking the law if I sell you a toy? I know that Trading Standards in the UK have checked my products and are happy that they are safe and of a good quality for children to enjoy. It seems that in America this is no longer good enough.
Take a moment to check the links. Let me know what you think. Make your voice heard.
t.xxx
By pure co-incidence I have posted on CPSIA Blog-in Day so take a look around blog world as everyone speaks out for a return to common sense. For a colourful start pop over to Jenny B at Allsorts and Kristin (she of the $15k skirt!) t.x

Comments

A Thrifty Mrs said…
I've heard all about this and can't quite get my head around it.
Bobo Bun said…
Hi

I read about this on Wee Wonderfuls and was frankly gobsmacked. To make it harder for individual creators to make a living when the products they are invariably making are far superior to the plastic mass produced rubbish is beyond belief. Especially at a time when the US like us are in a financial crisis. Hanmade products may cost more to buy, but have been thoughtfully and individually produced within that countries economy. Thereby buying that product is also supporting your own countries economy. I'm concerned that if it does get passed in the US will it become a concern here. I thought handmade crafts were in the middle of a revival that was going to grow and develop further, not be stopped. I've ranted enough. I'll try and get the image loaded on my blog too.

By the way Teena I am the Lisa who left you a message on your phone.
Shabby Chick said…
That's unbelievable, I had no idea of those ridiculous regulations coming in. I hope they get cancelled, otherwise there will only be horrible mass produced toys at a higher price.

Mel xxx
Niki Fretwell said…
Hi T,
I don't admit to knowing all the details here, but it does seem another big smack in the face for the little guy.

I wouldn't have thought that you would be breaking the law by selling 'untested' toys on Etsy. Surely, if anyone was accountable, it would be the US buyer, as they would be importing your goods into the country - But then who is going to be checking all of the goods going in? It would be impossible.

I don't make toys, as such, but I have always added to my listings 'this is not designed as a toy, it is a decorative item for display only' - but that would be a ridiculous label to add to a beautifully crafted soft toy, obviously made for a young child...Do we really have to live in a nanny state, where parents cannot buy carefully crafted toys and clothes for their children, and decide for themselves if they are of a good enough quality to be given to their loved-ones. Of course there need to be laws to keep our children safe, but this really must be taking things too far...
Niki
LinenandRoses said…
I have been reading a lot about this on the etsy forums lately. It all just seems so crazy and not at all helpful in encouraging home-grown business. I was thinking about having a go at making some soft toys to add to my range but I have to say it totally put me off even though I could just sell them in my Folksy shop. Talking of Folksy, I would encourage you to join up even if it means extra admin. Even though it's in it's early stages, it seems to be doing ok and I'm selling the same quantity there as on etsy. Hoping that it will get even better once it launches properly and the more great sellers such as yourself, who join, the better.
Shannon said…
This whole thing is a fiasco. I am sure the parties who initiated the process had good intentions, but it will do more damage than good. I have 100% more confidence in something that has been individually handcrafted than a mass produced/ mass tested item for my child. Unfortunately, I may not have the choice for long.
Kristen said…
thanks so much for drawing attention to this issue on the other side of the pond! We are working hard to have this absurd law changed but the more people who speak out against it the more loudly we will be heard!

thanks again ;)
This is just more proof of a world gone mad...
I cannot believe that this new bill will last.. there will be a monumental backlash from the multitude of craftspeople and small businesses making bespoke and handmade toys...This comes as a double whammy to a lot of small struggling businesses that have already been hit by the economic balls up..S'cuse my French..
Come back common sense.. oh and conkers and Gollies etc etc...
Michele x
Emily said…
What a nice blog you have here. So cheery and happy. Love the colors.
myminimocs said…
excellent - thank you for sharing this information - together hopefully we can make an impact and get this law amended and focused back onto it's original intent - keeping our children safe!
I registered a while back on change.org to support this, (it's quite hard to find on the site- it's better to follow from your link above). It's got through to the second round of voting now, but there doesn't seem to be any facility to vote currently.

I definitely think the US government should provide exemptions for handmade toys, but I felt a bit cheeky, asking them to change their laws, not being an American citizen. Or am I being over-sensitive here? Well, I did it anyway...

I'm certainly curious as to where UK traders would stand. I cannot imagine that anyone would be prosecuted for international buying and selling on a small scale, but who knows?
Clare Carter said…
It is so absurd!!!! It needs to be clarified urgently or people like us will lose sales and people in the States will love their living.Its an incredibly irresponsible oversight.Now I'm off to click on that skirt!xxx
Winklepots said…
Great post! It's good to hear from people outside of the US and how this law may affect them. Thank you so much for helping to spread the word about this poorly written law. It affects us all. Here's hoping it's amended soon to minimize the damage being done.
The world is really going crazy, this now confirms it....................... Especially in this time of recession...................... sigh................... Thanks for flagging this up, I'll be following it with great interest!
julie said…
it's complete madness isn't it ?

One way for UK sellers to get round it, is to state when you display the goods for sale that the products are compliant with the laws in the country they are made (ie the UK), but if they are being purchased from overseas it is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that they are compliant with the laws in their own country. That at least will protect you as a seller, but it still doesn't help US crafters, or alter the fact it's a crazy law and it really ought to be left to parents to decide whether they want to give their children some mass produced piece of plastic tat that's been tested, or a beautiful individual crafted item. Will stop now before my rant starts to take over your entire page...
Teena Vallerine said…
You're all right. Isn't it wonderful what politicians can achieve when they throw common sense out of the window....Will they be able to put it right? I hope so. t.x
Lisa said…
Your blog is lovely....what eye candy!