There are some major changes happening, imposed by our legislature, which will greatly impact Mom 4 Life and all of our suppliers. H.R. 4040, the Consumer Protection Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was signed into law August 14, 2008, and the will go into effect February 10, 2009 (now being popularly referred to as National Bankruptcy Day).

This new legislation requires extensive and expensive testing to be done on any item (clothing, toys, etc.) sold in the U.S. and intended for use of anyone under the age of 12. The intention is to screen for harmful substances, such as lead, that may contaminate products our children use. While the intention of the law is good, it is vague and confusing. It has left many companies scrambling to find out if they need their products tested. Unfortunately, if the laws are left unchanged, many companies will go out of business as small companies cannot afford the expense of the certification process.

This doesn't just affect us, but every retailer and wholesaler in the U.S. that sells children's products of any kind. You may have noticed that the shelves are becoming bare in your local store's toy aisle, as stores are afraid to re-order any merchandise that may be illegal to sell in just a few short weeks.

At Mom 4 Life, we are working hard to get the General Conformity Certificates (GCC) on file for the products we carry, but you may notice a lack of stock for several products while we work through this process. We are left in the same position as your local store in the fact that we cannot afford to place orders for products we may not be able to sell next month. We are only able to order from suppliers that send us their GCC's until changes are made to the law.

In addition, manufacturing may cease on some items if companies are unable or unwilling to go through the process before February 10. Some items will simply not be available.

I personally feel strongly about this for the following reasons:

1. Obviously, it directly affects the industry I work in.
2. It is another hit on small businesses who will not be able to afford the testing that larger companies can. It will literally cause some to close their doors and cease production if the laws are not modified.
3. It penalizes every business that provides products for children. This is not the time for our nation to make it harder to keep businesses afloat.
4. It imposes regulations that are unrealistic and borderline on ridiculous in a nation known for their free market.
5. It will create much more demand than supply in all children's items, raising prices and making the difficult economy even more difficult on families.

I believe that if you live in the United States, you should know about these laws and have an opportunity to respond to them. You also deserve to be informed as to why it will be difficult to shop for your children in the months ahead as the processes are all sorted out, and hopefully modified.

1. Start by forwarding this information to everyone you know. Parents of young children are not the only ones touched by this legislation.
2. Find your congress person and senators and write a letter (like the sample here), particularly if they serve on the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection or the House Committee on Small Business. If you click here you will be taken to a site that will help you automatically contact your local representatives with a form letter (very fast and easy)!
3. Send an email directly to the CPSC or contact chairperson Nancy Nord at 301-504-7923.
4. Sign this petition, to be submitted to the CPSC.

5. Check out these additional resources: Facebook -Help Save Handmade Toys from the CPSIA and Handmade Toy Alliance