New documents from the CPSC regarding enforcing the CPSIA

Ruth Sandra Sperling
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Since I posted comments about the CPSIA earlier, I thought that I would post some links to documents on various issues regarding the enforcement of this law as of Feb. 10, 2009 - only a few days away.

For those of us who craft in natural materials (wood, cotton, wool, surgical steel etc.) or "dyed or undyed textiles (not incuding leather, vinyl or PVC) and non-metallic thread and trim used in children's apparel and other fabric products, such as baby blankets", fortunately the CPSC has stated in the following News Release that we will not have penalties imposed against us as these items rarely contain lead over the lead limits in the CPSIA. If they find that someone had actual knowledge that products they manufactured/sold contained more than the lead limit, they will not be immune from prosecution.

I suggest that all concerned people read the documents at the CPSC website regarding this for their own information:

CPSC News Release: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09120.html

CPSC Draft Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy on Section 101 Lead Limits http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/101lead.pdf

CPSC Record of Commissioner Voting on Draft Statement of Commission Enforcement Policy on Section 101 Lead Limits (unanimous 2-0) http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/ballot/ballot09/101lead.pdf


Also, there was the issue of whether the ban of phthalates per the CPSIA would cover existing inventory as of Feb. 10, 2009. The NRDC went to court on it and won.

Court Memorandum and Order: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/nrdcopinion.pdf
(See pages 36 and 37 for Conclusion and Order)

Products with the phthalates as stipulated in the CPSIA are off the shelf as of Feb. 10, 2009, including existing inventory manufactured before Feb. 10, 2009!!

This I am really glad about as I have read for years of the dangers of phthalates and I take steps to avoid plastics known to contain phthalates for my own food/drink containers.

You might want to read the following at SimpleSteps.org - Green Living by NRDC: http://www.simplesteps.org/index.php?option=com_rssviewer&Itemid=49&link=court_agrees_phthalates_are_ba.html .

Again, I am thankful to the attornies at the NRDC for taking necessary legal action on an environmental issue that I deem important for all of us!!

As always - to a healthier world!


Ruth