Feb 25 2009
CPSIA & Children’s Jewelry Updates
In my last newsletter, I passed along some excellent news for makers of children’s jewelry on the CPSIA front. It turns out that celebration was premature – the stay on the enforcement of the new law was overturned by a federal court on February 9th, and the new rules are once again in effect.
The CPSC is considering allowing “natural, lead-free” items to be used without certification – pearls, some precious metals and precious gems.
But that is little help to those using jewelry wire, pewter, Swarovski crystal, and other beading necessities. Even if the components have all been certified (such as TierraCast pewter), the CPSIA law still requires that the final product be tested regardless.
The Handmade Toy Alliance continues to follow the CPSIA situation, however their focus is on toys, which remain CPSIA free until next February (the stay was not overturned for toys and most other children’s good). It is a somewhat useful site, but they aren’t really following the jewelry situation.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a very detailed site, although the language tend to be bureaucratic and confusing. The CPSIA guide for small businesses is particularly useful.
There has been a lively and useful discussion of this subject on my favorite beaders’ forum:
Petitions for improving the law to make it more small business friendly:
[...] producers, dealers and distributors includes, to pick a sampling, Fairy Tale Jewels, Angie Vinez, Birds and the Beads (”Even if the components have all been certified (such as TierraCast pewter), the CPSIA law [...]