Press Release: The Handmade Toy Alliance Applauds Funding of the CPSC
Monday, March 16. 2009
Stamford, CT March 12, 2009 – The Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) applauds Congress’ and President Obama’s funding of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 signed into law yesterday. The CPSC has been left grossly under funded despite the increase in demands on the agency since President Bush signed into law the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008.
While funding to the CPSC is a step in the right direction to enhance the regulatory functions of the agency, there is still much work to be done to correct the unintended consequences of the CPSIA. “Small businesses throughout the country continue to struggle proving compliance under the law, without common sense, cost efficient ways to comply.” Jill Chuckas of Crafty Baby (CT) states. “Our member businesses produce and sell safe products for children, yet the wording of the CPSIA and the lack of regulatory rulings by the CPSC prevent them from knowing if they will be able to afford to be in business 6 months from now.”
Funding issues now behind them, it is time for Congress to clearly address via open hearings and a technical amendment, the many unintended consequences that the CPSIA has created. Rob Wilson of Challenge and Fun (MA) shares “We firmly believe that it was never Congress’ intention to affect small businesses on this level, in this way. Now is the time to reopen the CPSIA up for debate and correct these mistakes.”
The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 327 toy stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country, who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and children's goods in the USA. They are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives. While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA has motivated them to work to enact change at a federal level.
Online: HandmadeToyAlliance.org
While funding to the CPSC is a step in the right direction to enhance the regulatory functions of the agency, there is still much work to be done to correct the unintended consequences of the CPSIA. “Small businesses throughout the country continue to struggle proving compliance under the law, without common sense, cost efficient ways to comply.” Jill Chuckas of Crafty Baby (CT) states. “Our member businesses produce and sell safe products for children, yet the wording of the CPSIA and the lack of regulatory rulings by the CPSC prevent them from knowing if they will be able to afford to be in business 6 months from now.”
Funding issues now behind them, it is time for Congress to clearly address via open hearings and a technical amendment, the many unintended consequences that the CPSIA has created. Rob Wilson of Challenge and Fun (MA) shares “We firmly believe that it was never Congress’ intention to affect small businesses on this level, in this way. Now is the time to reopen the CPSIA up for debate and correct these mistakes.”
The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 327 toy stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country, who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and children's goods in the USA. They are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives. While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA has motivated them to work to enact change at a federal level.
Online: HandmadeToyAlliance.org
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