Save Small Business from the CPSIA - Ideas for Change in America

What do you think is the most effective way to turn this idea into real policy? Add your suggestions here for how you think we should run an advocacy campaign to advance the idea – including the overall strategy, messaging, targets, and tactics.

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The other day I was holding my 2 month old daughter over my shoulder and realized that she had my shirt in her mouth. Now if we are afraid that children's apparel has lead in it what will keep children from putting their parents clothing in their mouth as well. This bill is not realistic at all and obviously the lawmakers were not thinking when they passed it. If this bill isn't changed why can't I put a disclaimer on my site that my 100% cotton clothing has not been tested for lead. I believe that parents are capable of making sure their kids are safe. Let the parents decided not the government.

Suggested by Diane Augustin on 01/18/2009 @ 09:26AM PT
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Philosophy aside...
1) Nullify the bill or pull it until amended.
2) Component based is the way to go. Have paints and construction materials certified and let small businesses reference these materials in the 'labeling' or on file for review when requested.
3) Make the point to the Obama transition team or whomever will discuss this that they need to keep the 85% rule in mind: 85% of employment in the U.S. comes from small business! This bill will force closure of many while large corporations like Mattel and others who were negligent with their quality control for the sake of profits weather the storm.
4) If testing is to be mandatory...let the State absorb the cost and do it for free for businesses with revenues under $1M. Also, can the exorbitant costs of testing be called into question? Someone should look at that and see why so expensive with technology that has been around for a long time. It should get cheaper not more expensive.

We are a 25 year, family run cabinet shop who was going to diversify into the juvenile products markets with kids furniture. We use quality materials, had already decided before seeing this "law" that we would eliminate formaldehyde glue plywoods and certainly would never have used any paints with lead.

We have to make up the drop in cabinet orders due to the housing crisis. This was our way to keep our 15 people employed. With this bill as it exists it puts our efforts at diversification in jeopardy and those jobs!!

I agree with the post above. Shame on you legislators who wrote this shoddy, poorly considered bill! Get it right this time.

Suggested by Dorothy Hogan on 01/18/2009 @ 09:24AM PT
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To lawmakers,I agree that this law, which could easily eliminate the jobs of tens of thousands of Americans, working hard in small cottage industries, could have its advantages in protecting children from toxic materials, especially in imported items. It seems to be addressing in particular large manufacturers and "big box" concerns who sell such questionable items. We, the small business owners and employees - small retailers and toy-makers in America - are totally at risk here and it is definitely not fair at all. How can we heal this situation? Certainly a first step would be to revisit the lawmaking process that caused the situation, and ask the questions: "who is it that wants to put small businesses out of work? and why?" and "who will profit from such legislation?" It seem to me from reading the above information regarding this law that only the larger manufacturers who can afford this testing could even survive this, never mind hugely profit from putting everyone else out of business. This goes against the principles of free-enterprise. It questions and shakes the ground of America's moral foundations as well. Please revisit this law. Protect children from imports which might have toxic materials in them, by all means. But please put this law into the proper context to preserve our rights as citizens and not disaffect a large part of our own population even further than the unbelievable unemployment numbers already reached at this time in America. Thank you.

Suggested by Joya Birns on 01/18/2009 @ 09:15AM PT
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How to build a national campaign?

Maybe make a commercial showing children in a colorful world playing with unique handmade toys that foster imagination while wearing colorful, unique handmade clothing. Then show the effects of the CPSIA law....maybe show the colors disappearing (undyed cotton fabric has been unofficially exempted) and make the toys disappear. Another spin on this is to show the children all wearing the same clothing with no uniqueness (i.e. mass produced items).

An ad could also show "out of business" signs over the small shops that manufactured the items in the commercial. And maybe show ordinary people in their homes no longer working to make the handcrafted items. Maybe a sad looking granny with her knitting sitting beside her chair, not in her hands where it should be.

Many people do not know of this law never mind it's far reaching effects. Media and advertising could do a lot to promote understanding of the law and the need to rewrite the law.

Suggested by Lissa Winrow on 01/18/2009 @ 09:15AM PT
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The law should focus on imported goods and not those made in America, especially not goods created by small businesses. It was imports that got us into this mess!
Simply reword the law to exclude small businesses. It needs to be done soon and implemented fast so the small businesses that are already teetreing in this economy will not collapse!

Suggested by Heather Ledet on 01/18/2009 @ 08:59AM PT
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Another solution would be to invest in inexpensive high-tech devices, like Xray fluorescence scanners, to screen an item’s lead and chemical content at the point of purchase, or for home use. Could said technology be widely implemented over the next couple years (as the CPSIA is planned to be) at a cost not exceeding the current price tag? If so, why are we burdening creative entrepreneurs when we could instead be empowering consumers with technology?

Suggested by Autumn Wiggins on 01/18/2009 @ 08:38AM PT
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Use common sense. Nullify the law until it can be thoughtfully rewritten after plenty of comment time so it addresses the problem, unsafe children's products, and doesn't come loaded with unintended consequences.

Suggested by Wren Osborn on 01/18/2009 @ 07:05AM PT
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The Little Hat Company's suggestion for change is to adapt your product line for the meantime till this is figured out. If you make bibs for babies consider making bibs for adults who are suffering from paralysis and other diseases. I am hoping this law will soon be changed and adapted for the better. Do not give up on your original dream that brought you and your company to this point! I beg you that you don't allow this to give up on everything you've built! Email me and I will brainstorm with you on how to effectively adapt your product line until this is fixed and stay legal and law abiding!

Jennifer Houghton
Founder & President
The Little Hat Company
jen@thelittlehatcompany.com

Suggested by Jennifer Houghton on 01/18/2009 @ 06:02AM PT
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The Little Hat Company is a small manufacturer, retail store in South Berwick, Maine. We started when I couldn't find a hat for my baby that was pratical and unique. In just two years we have grown to employ 10 part time employes and have shipped our baby and children's hats to five continents as well as building a full fledge toy store. We are just entering our third year and the prospect of having to sell adult lids only in the store is anti climatic to say the least. We don't have the cash flow for testing which will never be recouped by the sale of children's lids with our current quantities.

This law is not about the The Little Hat Company it is about the ripple affect it will have on the micro businesses and hancrafters across our nation. It won't stop there - it will affect packaging, delivery and postage, supplies from larger chains and farms who spin their own wool, it will affect the hosting companies, website design, groups fundraising, young entreprenuers, seniors, it will affect our entire economy.

Also what do they mean by permanent disposal of finished goods that are not tested? What if the law is repealed? What about our already over flowing landfills? Are we supposed to follow the law or are we supposed to be following the law when it makes sense? My children, 14, 7, 3 are listening to the numerous phone calls coming into our business and now house. They are in disbelief and looking to me to see what I do. What do I say to them? They've watched our business grow in a small town where it has made a positive impact and now the older two are in disbelief that our country, the land of free entreprise, is telling their mom that unless she can cough up the cash she won't be able to continue making baby and children hats at The Little Hat Company. We've fought so hard to develop a business model that makes it pheasible for us to manufacturer all of hats in South Berwick, Maine and not outsource overseas - this summer we had finally hit on a system that allowed us a 55% profit margin while paying our local stitchers $18-$24 an hour.

I applaud our government for wanting to keep our children safe but I ask them is this what they meant by helping to bring manufacturing home to The United States?

One more thing- all baby and children's hats are now 50% off at our store in South Berwick and soon on our website. It's better that we at least are able to recoup cost of goods than to loose 1000's of dollars and man hours invested in the future of The Little Hat Company.

Hope for Change & Hope for Balance

Best Wishes,

Jennifer Houghton
Founder & President
The Little Hat Company
Put A Lid on Your Kid - up until February 9th, 2009
then - Adult Noggins need Protection Too!

Suggested by Jennifer Houghton on 01/18/2009 @ 05:58AM PT
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In these difficult financial times, CPSIA could well be "the straw that breaks the camels back". Shame on you legislators for the sloppy work. We expect so much more from you. Fix this now, and next time put you thinking caps on before you go to work!

Suggested by Carolyn Waldrop on 01/17/2009 @ 11:25PM PT
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