about this new legislation that will come into effect in February. I found the article on my sister's blog and have since been seeing more and more about it. I think it is very important that we all become more educated about this law and how it will effect us because it is so broad and far reaching that it
going to effect all of us. Here is a message that was posted on my homeschool message board today:
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 manu-
facturing 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 10th? 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
888-531-9070.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspxComments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
2009. Or email:
Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@...2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
tion, 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_cpsia4) Sign the petition.
http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html5) 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.htmlConsumer 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#summariesOffice of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require-
ments -- 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.htmlSpecific 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.htmlEffective 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
Oh this picture makes me laugh! Luke and his dad were playing on Dad's 'Sega Dreamcast," which he had just received for his birthday and there is Noah, competely enthralled by what's on the screen. That's three generations of zombie video-gamers sitting right there people. This is why we don't own any video-gaming systems ourselves! Noah and his grampy have birthdays that are only 3 days apart so every year they have a joint famly birthday dinner. This picture was taken just after Noah's 3rd birthday celebration. He was in desperate need of a hair cut but boy was he cute! So little and so rosy-cheeked. Much has changed in the intervening 4 years but he's still a zombie in front of a TV screen and he's still really cute.
