Children’s Products – CPSIA

HSMG PresidentIndustry Advocacy & NewsLeave a Comment

For those who don’t know, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a bill that was designed to protect children from unsafe products.  It was passed into law last year, effective February 10, 2009.  Amongst other things, it required testing on all products to be sold to children.  It has received a great deal of attention and outrage and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been scrambling to work out how to implement the requirement.

While the CPSIA doesn’t cover soap or cosmetics for children, some HSMG members do make or sell other products for children. That, and the fact that the CPSIA has brought to light the difficulties of very small businesses in complying with legislation designed for “big business”, makes it of interest to us.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently published a Guide to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities. It’s a downloadable .pdf booklet that has questions and answers about how to comply with the regulation and what deadlines are in place.  If you make product for children (other than soap or cosmetics) the booklet may provide guidance in how (and when) you need to comply with the CPSIA.

Also of interest, if you are following the CPSIA, is the introduction of a bill by Senator DeMint (SC) to reform the CPSIA.  His press release details the reasoning and provisions of his bill and the impact it would have on

Marie Gale, President, HSMG

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