CPSIA – Huh?

Before I get into it, you can read about the new law right here.

Then, see one mom’s really good take on the law.

So. Just what is this new law really? It is one of those knee-jerk reactions to an event that occurred in 2007. As you may recall, China sent us a bunch of lead-laden products.

Lead. Children. Bad.

So, congress jumped right on the solution. Reduce the lead content in products. Force industry to perform testing on their products. Force businesses to either test themselves or get their suppliers to provide certification of testing.

All for the children. Sort of like S-CHiP. No one can say no to a child.

If a business sells a non-conforming product, they get fined $100K. For each item. Wal-Mart beware, if you have 100 non-conforming items on your shelf, you are going to pay dearly.

But it’s for the kids, right?

But. But. If there is a book printed prior to 1985, it might fall under that category. What is that used book store owner going to do?

Why, pay a few hundred dollars per book to get it tested, of course. Or, if they cannot afford it, just toss the book. Just to be on the safe side.

Are you getting the picture? Already, untold millions of dollars worth of product has been tossed ‘to be safe’. Already the first lawsuit is underway, charging a business with non-compliance. Already there are numerous tiny, mom-and-pop businesses reeling from the constraints in the law.

All because congress knows best. All because those whom we elected can jump right on the problem and fix it SHAZAAM!

Sort of like they are fixing our economy. My warm and fuzzy feeling is back.

The revolution is at hand. Will you be a leader or a follower?