Bargain Hunters: How will the CPSIA Law requiring lead testing for children’s products affect YOU beginning February 10, 2009?

There has been a lot of circulating information over the past few days about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that will go into effect nationwide February 10, 2009. For those of you not familiar with the hype, let me help you get back up to speed. ALL items intended for children under 12 are to be tested for stricter levels of lead and other contaminates, even if the item is intended for adults but can be regarded as "kid's stuff" such as comics, games, stuffed toys, etc. This will certainly drive up the costs of children’s products across the board and many specialty businesses will go under due to the high cost of testing. Personally, I'm glad the government wants to make our children safer and healthier, but they took it a little too far when the Act never considered, included or excluded second hand resellers. Here are the regulations in a nutshell...

Manufacturers, importers and retailers are expected to comply with new Congressionally-mandated laws. Starting on February 10, 2009, children's products cannot be sold if they contain more than 600 parts per million (ppm) total lead. Certain children's products manufactured on or after February 10, 2009 cannot be sold if they contain more that 0.1% of certain specific phthalates or if they fail to meet new mandatory standards for toys. Under the new law, children's products with more than 600 ppm total lead cannot lawfully be sold in the United States on or after February 10, 2009, even if they were manufactured before that date. The total lead limit drops to 300 ppm on August 14, 2009. The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children's products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban.

So what does this mean for Second hand re-sellers like church yard sales, individual yard sales, consignment shops, and seasonal consignment sales? Well for a couple of days we were all in a tizzy. Those of us that were even informed about the law knew that it COULD be interpreted INCORRECTLY and POTENTIALLY make our honest and economy friendly business an illegal one overnight? Second hand resellers certainly do not have the funds to test merchandise since testing can go well into the thousands of dollars per unit.

Luckily, the consignment community got involved and stood up for what was needed. ALOT of phone calls and emails were sent to the authors of the bill at Senator Pryor's office as well as contacting other House and Senate Representatives across the Nation. A big thanks to John Wasson of My Sale Manager, a nationwide seasonal consignment sale computer program company, who helped coordinate and rally for clarification on this hastily put together congressional act.

Today, a press release by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) clarified what we've all been anxiously awaiting regarding second hand businesses. “The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children's products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children's products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards. The new safety law does not require resellers to test children's products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold. However, resellers cannot sell children's products that exceed the lead limit and therefore should avoid products that are likely to have lead content, unless they have testing or other information to indicate the products being sold have less than the new limit. Those resellers that do sell products in violation of the new limits could face civil and/or criminal penalties.”

So fear not bargain hunters, it is not illegal to have children's items in yard sales, consignment shops, seasonal consignment sales or thrift stores. However, our children's safety is first and foremost so we all need to pay more attention to new laws, abide by recall listings and be more aware of items that are likely to have lead content. Shoppers and consignors who experience the thrill of Tykes, Tots & Teens 30,000 sq feet, Seasonal Consignment Sale at the GA International Horse Park will have easy access to CPSC recall lists to verify that items are not on the list this April.

See the Press Release from the CPSC http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
Read the CPSIA Law http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf
Check your items for recalls http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

Blog by Laura Johns, Mother, Bargain Hunter, Founder & Co-Owner of Tykes, Tots & Teens Consignment Sales

Children's Consignment Sales

It's time for many Seasonal Children's Consignment Sales. Consignment Sales are typically for one weekend only. They are a great place to shop for Fall/Winter clothing, find Halloween Costumes, get a head start on Christmas shopping, etc.

Starting this weekend, August 23, 2008 and continuing through mid-September, many seasonal consignment sales will take place. LocalKidFun.com has a list of consignment sales in the Fayette, Henry and Coweta County, GA on it's Consignment Page. You can also find the sales listed on LocalKidFun.com's Calendar Page.

If you have never shopped consignment, now may be the perfect time to try one out. We could all use a little extra cash in our pocket these days. Whether you're selling your items at the sale or buying clothes and toys for your kids at a fraction of their original cost, Seasonal Consignment Sales can help keep your wallet nice and thick. Kids grow out of their clothes and toys with the blink of an eye. Selling the clothes and toys that are clean and look almost unused is a great way to keep clutter out and make money for the new items your children will need. Most sales offer sellers and volunteers a preview shopping day. Often, the best items are sold in these preview days to other sellers who now need to replenish their growing child's wardrobe. Check each sale's website link or contact them to find out how to become a seller.

For shoppers, I found some great tips for consignment sale "newbies" at http://www.kidsconsignmentsales.com/sresources.htm. They give some clever ideas on how to best shop for clothes that will fit your child. This is important because sizes vary by brand and some clothing shrinks in the wash. They also recommend leaving children at home while you shop consigment. Great idea because these sales can get crowded and it is hard to keep an eye on wandering little ones while you shop. Many sales ask you to leave strollers at home.

One tip I would add is to make a list of what you need before you leave your house. These sales are often held in large venues and there are many items for sale. You can easily get overwhelmed and impulse shop. I learned that the hard way. I felt great one time leaving a sale because I found a bunch of adorable and inexpensive shirts for my child. The problem was, my child already had a lot of shirts in that size. The shirt drawer ended up being over-stuffed and I didn't have many pants, shorts, etc. that matched the shirts.

Good luck to all who will be selling and buying over the next few weekends. Happy bargain hunting! Oh, and when you are checking out please be sure to mention that you found out about the sale on LocalKidFun.com.