I am writing today to
encourage you to support Senator DeMint’s Bill #S-374 that will help save tens
of thousands of businesses (and hundreds of thousands of jobs) from bankruptcy
over the coming months. While it is
clear that you are sparing no expense in
your efforts to stimulate the economy, one would think it is
counter-productive to spend hundreds of billions of dollars in stimulus funds
with one hand, while regulating away perfectly healthy businesses.
Last week the courts
reversed the position of the CPSC that the phthalate rule did not apply to
existing inventory. This has left
businesses with 4 days in which to comply.
What decision of the CPSC will be reversed next? Our businesses can’t afford that kind of
uncertainty. We need reasonable rules
built into the CPSIA, or you need to repeal it and start over.
Ideas for Modifications to
Make CPSIA More Reasonable for Small- Businesses
· Component testing - with certification
that carries forward
to the end product
manufacturer. Eliminate the economic
waste of duplicate tests; this provision makes it possible for one-of-a-kind
product manufacturers to continue manufacturing.
· Flexibility in labeling – let manufacturers employ more
technologically savvy
labeling strategies. Small manufacturers
can’t bear the burden of non-standardized labels, individualized per batch.
But they can make use of
other technologies they already employ in their businesses. Give us the flexibility to communicate in new
ways with our customers.
· Exemptions from continuous testing
requirements – for
products that have not been
proven to pose a risk of lead and phthalate hazards.
· Exemptions from labeling requirements – for those products
exempted from continuous
testing.
· Assign financial responsibility for
the clean-up – Congress
did not assign financial
responsibility for the clean-up that begins Feb 10, 2009. Small businesses that have operated in good
faith are now left holding the bag on society’s unwanted merchandise.
Washington
· Legislate changes – On Feb 5, we learned that CPSC’s rulings
are not law and that they
cannot be banked on. When a US District
Court overturned the CPSC’s phthalate ruling, the court made the phthalate ban
retroactive with only 3 days notice to the deadline.
Small businesses cannot
afford this level of uncertainty. The
changes we need have to stick, and we have to count on that. So, they must come from legislators and not
from the CPSC.
We need Senator Kerry to stand-up
and take a bi-partisan approach, because saving small businesses is NOT a
partisan issue. If it is, we will have
to reconsider our approach to voting.
Here is a link to a local
Boston ABC story that was aired last night featuring small businesses in your
state concerned about losing their otherwise healthy businesses.
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/18687300/index.html
I am also attaching a press
release that we sent out on Monday, along with a Myths & Facts sheet that
we have prepared. If you feel I have any
of my facts are incorrect, I would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this
with you further.
Sincerely,
Rob Wilson
Director of Marketing
Challenge & Fun, Inc.
Member: Handmade Toy Alliance www.handmadetoyalliance.org
Founder/Administrator: www.cpsia-central.ning.com
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