A city girl in the Sticks

Sale of Children's books banned as of 2/10/09

******PLEASE READ Jan. 28th update to get full story*****

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 Hello and Happy New Year!!!

I received this email and am forwarding it here - if you know of something different PLEASE let me know!!

God Bless,

Anne

I just found out about this.  I have reprinted below an email from a fellow homeschooler who sells used books... Basically, the government was concerned about the problem with lead in toys in the year 2007.  Last year, they made a law that requires companies to test their products for lead... the bad thing is that they are not only requiring this for new products manufactured as of 2/10/09, but they are applying this law retroactively... in other words, all items for sale (used or new) intended for children ages 12 and under, that don't have the certification that the item is lead free CAN NOT be sold (garage sales, used book sales, thrift stores, consignment stores, etc).  The law also states that the items can not be given away... that means the landfills will become full of these very good items.  What a waste!  The law also states that it's not only for children's toys, but also for books, cd's, dvds, clothing, etc

 I am still researching this, trying to figure it all out.  I have a used book business on Amazon.com, so this does affect me (although my children's book sales are not the main bulk of my sales).  This will affect used book sales (curriculum fairs as well).  It will also affect thrift stores, such as Goodwill, they will not be allowed to sell children's toys, clothes, dvd's, cd's or books as of 2/10/09 unless the items have been certified to be lead-free.  The testing for each item for lead can be very costly, which of course will keep the thrift stores from selling any of these items.  It also affects my family, because we do buy used clothing and educational books from thrift and consignment stores (still in great condition).  This will also drive up the prices of new merchandise, since they have to all be tested.  Some people are calling 2/10/09 the "National Bankruptcy Day" because if this law is not changed, it will drive many, many small businesses out of business.  Think:  children's consignment stores, thrift stores, used book stores, crafters that make children's items (can not afford the testing), and many others.  It will even affect the big businesses, who will have to trash anything for children on their shelves that have not had the lead-free certification by 2/10/09. 

I wanted to make everyone aware of this, like I said, I'm still trying to understand it all... hopefully something will change, because it just doesn't make any sense.  At a time when our economy is down and people are struggling, it seems ludicrous that families will not be able to purchase used items for their children.  The email below has information about where to go to get more information about this, as well as who to contact if you want to let your opinions be heard on this issue.

The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned

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  Oh, how I wish this were a joke!  But it is a grim and looming, almost Orwellian, reality.

  Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and under) is to be PROHIBITED.  Every single book printed prior to the ruling is affected, whether new or used.  New books in production are required to include a "lead-free" certification and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

  What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

  Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply with the new ruling.  Complete book inventories will have to be destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books! Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.   Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the ruling.  Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.  No more library sales.  Libraries will not be permitted to give away or sell book donations.  It is unsure yet, however, how the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or giving them away).  The key word, however, is "distribution" -- libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

  (The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included in "children's toys".)

  Just how serious is this new law?

  Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply. No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to compliance.  And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manufacturing stage.  At the time of this article there is no clause to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print books.  It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

  I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books from the 1950s and '60s.  My punishment for selling a book after February 10^th: up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail.  And yes, it is a felony charge.  For selling a SINGLE book.  (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly violating Federal law.)

  So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that sells children's books, or that homeschool curriculum business, or your EBay business selling children's items? 

  ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

  1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at 1-888-531-9070.  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
     Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30, 2009.  Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov

  2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact information, just enter your zip code.  http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

  3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue!  The top 3 in each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.

http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

  4) Sign the petition.     http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

  5) Spread the word!  Forward this article.  Send an email.  Write about this on your blog.  Tell others about this issue and encourage them to do the same.

  ---

  For the complete story, read the following links:    

• http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

• Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and other rulings: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries

• Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory requirements -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009:      http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html

• Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be included in the testing of lead based products:           http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html

• Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180 days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date can be found on our web site at:        http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf

• Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books:     http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html

• There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pedtrician:            http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/

Untitled Comment

04:46, Thursday, January 8, 2009 .. Posted by morningsunshine

I have also wondered - will this effect FABRIC at the fabric store.... can we even make our own children's clothes anymore?

this is getting ridiculous