Saturday, July 18, 2009

CPSIA - Statements on Request to Exclude Crystal and Glass Beads from Children's Products

While I have not posted anything about the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) lately, I have continued to follow it. This issue is not going away, folks!

I have been waiting for their ruling on glass beads, since I use these pieces on the lobsters I make.

Please do read the Commissioner's statements (below). My unofficial take on it is that the law is written so narrowly that the Commissioners--even if they wanted to exempt glass beads and crystals for some low-risk age groups--cannot rule to exempt these items.

It does look like the commission is considering a ruling to put a stay in place while Congress revisits the unintended consequences for this law. From what I can tell, this stay of enforcement has not yet gone into place. Remember the law went into effect February 2009. Even though there is a stay for third party testing, this law does apply to glass beads and crystals. My understanding is--as things currently stand-- these items cannot be used in products intended for children ages 12 and under.

Here are the links:

Commissioners' Statements on the Request from the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association to Exclude Crystal and Glass Beads in Children's Products from the Lead Content Limits Under Section 101(b)(1) of the CPSIA:

Chairman Tenenbaum http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/tenenbaum071709.pdf
Commissioner Moore http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/moore071709.pdf
Commissioner Nord http://www.cpsc.gov/pr/nord071709.pdf

To read more about CPSIA, the Consumer Product Safety Commission or Small Business Guidelines regarding the law, please click on this link: http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/cpsia.HTML

No comments: