NEW LEAD TESTING LAW

[smudley]

I was reading the posts on another forum I belong to (flasah) on yahoo, when I came across this one about the government trying to pass a new law that makes it so ANY AND EVERYONE who crafts, manufactures, or makes anything that can be used by kids has to be tested for lead content!!!!!! I clicked the links and read the info provided, and it doesn't sound good at all for any craftsman/ artisan. If the law passes, we all will be driven out of our hobby or business as the case may be. After all I can't afford to spend $4,000 or so to have every piece I make tested, plus the additional cost of making a twin item, since the one tested will be destroyed!!!! I would invite and urge you to read this posting, copy the links, read the info provided, and do all you can to help us all!!! This is truely a case of one for all, all for one!!!!

Jim

P.S. I emailed Dennis to ask his permission to copy the post and put it here, but haven't heard back from him as of yet, and time is running out!! The vote is Jan 5th!!!!

:wtf:

-- On Fri, 1/2/09, Dennis Doaty <cowhide@doatyleather.com> wrote:

From: Dennis Doaty <cowhide@doatyleather.com>

Subject: [flasah] FW: I\'m looking for quick feedback from anyone in the know

To: "Leather List" <iilg-leather@yahoogroups.com>, "Iilg-Members" <iilg-members@egroups.com>, "Flasah Group" <flasah@yahoogroups.com>

Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:50 AM

I received this disturbing item from a Craft Show List that I am on. Seems like our government it at it again. They are trying to mandate lead testing on all products that come in contact with children. The below email is what I received.

Dennis Doaty

162 7th Street

New Florence, PA 15944-1103

************ ********* ********* ********* *

Dennis Doaty Leathercraft

http://www.doatylea ther.com

"mailto:cowhide@ doatyleather. com

Member IILG

Member PSLAC

Member PA Trappers Assoc

-----Original Message-----

From: Louis@CraftLister. com [mailto:Louis@ CraftLister. com]

Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 03:08

To: cowhide@doatyleathe r.com

------------ --------- --------- ----

I\'m looking for quick feedback from anyone in the know on this matter:

What is happening?

HR 4040

This will mandate expensive lead testing on all individual products for children, including hand-made crafts.

What you can do:

Write to CPSC by Jan 30 th 2009: http://www.cpsc. gov/ABOUT/ Cpsia/ComponentP artsComments. pdf

Vote on Jan 5 th 2009:

http://www.change. org/ideas/ view/save_ handmade_ toys_from_ the_cpsia

Recent messages to CraftLister:

------------ -

I received your posting about the CPSC regs on lead and children\'s items. The scope of this situation is missing from your email. It is not just toys that are affected. ANY item that a child to 12 years of age might come in contact with must be tested. Saying that an item is for children over 12 is not sufficient. If they decide that an item can be used by a child under 12 it must have been tested. This includes not only toys but clothes, diapers, car seats (and covers), furniture, jewelry (even if not children\'s if usable by same), etc. The testing is estimated to cost thousands of dollars. Each lot, size, color must be tested individually (if one uses lumber, each board is a separate lot, fabric from different bolts is different lots). Even if one can afford to pay for the testing, the labs are not interested in working with small companies the size of most craftspeople. The item is destroyed in testing, so one of a kind items can no longer be made. Items in stock on the date this goes into affect, February 12, 2009 must meet the requirements or be destroyed. Under this law not only will most of us who make items remotely usable by children be out of business, the price of items sold same will skyrocket in price. It is urgent that implementation of this law be stopped. A good idea has gone ridiculous.

------------ --

I spoke directly with the CPSC at length on 12/31. It is not just importers, it is everyone who deals in ANY children\\\' s products. Crafters/artisans ARE considered manufacturers.

There is a ballot vote being held on 1/5 to discuss natural materials such a wood, cotton, etc. for exemption. But only items that contain NO other materials would be exempt. So if you attach anything, paint the item, etc. it must be tested.

[MADMAX22]

Hurray for getting screwed again. Hell they cant even regulate the import crap that shows up in boat loads that is tainted with mass amounts of lead.

Oh wait the economy is sucking, lets not suffer like the rest of the people trying to make a living well just tax them more so that we dont have to tighten our belts any more.

Arg I am really tired of this.

Thanks for the info and heads up.

[JohnD]

The links didn't work. Here they are again.

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_hand..._from_the_cpsia

http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/ComponentPartsComments.pdf

The second link, for contacting the cpsc, seems to indicate that they are only interested in ideas or comments on how to ensure compliance.

Another idea would be to write to your state reps and senators and let them know how you feel about this.

John

[TwinOaks]

Well, there goes the neighborhood. Looks like big brother has found another way to push us towards socialism. At least the adult-oriented leather will be safe for a little while....maybe.

[TexasJack]

Where were you during the last election? America wants socialism! They want someone to think for them, to take responsibility so they don't have to.

Besides, when they get rid of the cows to protect us from global warming, there won't be any leather to work anyway!

[Windy]

Besides, when they get rid of the cows to protect us from global warming, there won't be any leather to work anyway!

We will have all the chicken hides we can carve.

WINDY

[HorsehairBraider]

Well fortunately not everyone is an idiot. There have been lawmakers coming up with exemptions for small companies. Here's one article about it: Article and here's another: Story

The stories don't give the full list of "natural products" that are exempt from the testing protocols. But it sounded like the law was about toys, not leather goods, and hopefully common sense will prevail with regard to viewing leather as a "natural product".

[Ian]

Funny thing is, they tested the paint on those old Tonka trucks we used to play with (the ones that used to be made in America). The lead content was much higher than the stuff from China that caused such a flap a couple of years back. This lead business is way overblown in my uneducated opinion. If one was to go by this new alarmist mentality we should all be dead by now. Considering that the people now in their 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's 80's and 90's all grew up in the era of almost no regulation. Have humans suddenly become so fragile in the past couple of decades?

I agree with TexasJack. Obviously people want more and more federal control over their lives else they wouldn't vote the way they do. It used to be that constraints on freedom came so slowly that they were almost un-noticable. Now the ball is picking up momentum. What the end result will be, one can only imagine.

As one wise man noted "the greatest threats to personal freedom are made in the name of public safety"

[ChuckBurrows]

And another article not just crafters but all kinds of businesses.......http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thri...0,2083247.story

"do gooders" making the laws with a lack of common sense - also another way to make money for the guv'mint........this new bunch are REAL good at that.....

Edited January 5, 2009 by ChuckBurrows

[HorsehairBraider]

And another article not just crafters but all kinds of businesses.......http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thri...0,2083247.story

"do gooders" making the laws with a lack of common sense - also another way to make money for the guv'mint........this new bunch are REAL good at that.....

"New bunch"? Sorry, guess I don't understand... the newly appointed senators etc. don't take office for a few days yet... ?? I'm kind of dense, maybe I just don't get it, sorry!

[tuffcase]

The way I read it, it only applies to items for children under 12....how many items are you guys making for kids?

I think a sticker applied that reads ' not for use by children under 12 ' may suffice.

[TexasJack]

A warning sticker won't work unless you have it in every language on the planet and in Braille.

Saw a news article today that says the feds may tax cows a for their contribution to global warming.

“The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would upwards of $20 per hog,” the release said. “Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.”

See the article at http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2...1230165231.aspx

Fewer cows, higher priced meat and dairy, and - of course - higher priced leather.

Guess I'd better get to practicing on those chicken hides.......

[JRedding]

Anyone waiting for common sense to prevail in matters involving politicians is going have a damn long wait.

[jbird]

Anyone waiting for common sense to prevail in matters involving politicians is going have a damn long wait.

I couldn't agree more exept for I think you will be waiting longer than that.

[SITTINGUPHIGH1]

Common sence went out when we relected the people who created this economic problem.

Maybe all leather goods should be rated X.

[smudley]

A warning sticker won't work unless you have it in every language on the planet and in Braille.

Saw a news article today that says the feds may tax cows a for their contribution to global warming.

“The tax for dairy cows could be $175 per cow, and $87.50 per head of beef cattle. The tax on hogs would upwards of $20 per hog,” the release said. “Any operation with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs would have to obtain permits.”

See the article at http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2...1230165231.aspx

Fewer cows, higher priced meat and dairy, and - of course - higher priced leather.

Guess I'd better get to practicing on those chicken hides.......

I read that article, and the one in the post before, that gave more info about the new lead testing laws. After they tax the livestock, the next thing will be poultry, mark my words. Have you ever been to a chicken or turkey farm?? Talk about your greenhouse gasses.....well at least it stinks like it. I'd much rather smell a feedlot or dairy farm the a poultry farm, though I do like chicken and turkey. Then the next thing they will have to tax will be beans, since they make folks fart!!! And, don't forget about the animals like Buffalo, etc that are free ranging out west on ranches and in our national parks. Are they going to charge us more to get into the parks to pay for that tax? I think they have already gottten way out of hand with the regulations. I agree with the poster who talked about the 30, 40, 50, 60, etc year olds that grew up with lead paint on their toys, on the walls, heck just about everywhere. I don't blame my brain cell or lung loss on lead. It was my wild youth (ahh, the good old days!!!!), and my own fault. It seems folks nowadays can't take responsibility for anything or their own actions, they want the government to regulate it all so they don't have to think about it!!!!!!

The more I read about it all and the more I think about it all, the more I want to go live out in the mountains in a cave or an old log cabin where I'm on my own and no one would find me...... except of course the government. Can't get away from them no matter where you go dammit!!

And as for me, I'll use Turkey hides... they're thicker.

[MADMAX22]

Common sence went out when we relected the people who created this economic problem.

Maybe all leather goods should be rated X.

LOL we just elected one responsible for part of it. The economic mess has been more a result of more then just the government end of it. Many of the ceo's that ran there companies like the good times would never come to an end. Any company that was grossing as much as many have been for that many years should have some kind of buffer for economic roller coasters. So the bubble burst like it does every decade for the last hundred years (some worse then others) a company shouldnt all of a sudden be struggling after a couple of months, atleast not one as big as many of them that are.

Sont get me wrong the government isnt helping and the current bailouts and such are just making it worse (imo) but alot of this were poeple that ran things on a non government level being stupid. Well I guess not totally stupid, I mean I wouldnt mind a 500k salary with million dollar bonuses or more lol.

[Ian]

The more I read about it all and the more I think about it all, the more I want to go live out in the mountains in a cave or an old log cabin where I'm on my own and no one would find me...... except of course the government. Can't get away from them no matter where you go dammit!!

Exactly - I'm thinking Idaho looks pretty good. Anyone for buying up a small town and turning it into a leatherworker's colony? The more I think about it, the hippies had the right idea. Of course we could only call it a town until the government decides they don't like us, then we'll be called a 'compound'. And, once you're a 'compound', look out....!

[BillB]

I found the proceeding discussion rather interesting. It is hard to fix blame when there are so many to blame: The Government (Past, present and future administration); Businesses and their Executives; the population that demands cheaper and cheaper goods without wanting to address the consequences; or the folks who want to belong to a democracy (in our case a republic) yet don't want to take the time to get involved with the responsibilities of living in a democracy/republic like not just voting, but understanding what they are voting for. IMO

I plan to mark all my work as ART.

Where they want to display it (on the wall, on the shelf, on their person) is their choice.

BillB

[Leather Bum]

Exactly - I'm thinking Idaho looks pretty good. Anyone for buying up a small town and turning it into a leatherworker's colony? The more I think about it, the hippies had the right idea. Of course we could only call it a town until the government decides they don't like us, then we'll be called a 'compound'. And, once you're a 'compound', look out....!

How about Wyoming?

L'Bum

[unicornwoman]

I agree with TexasJack. Obviously people want more and more federal control over their lives else they wouldn't vote the way they do.

I found a bunch of the people I talked to did not vote according to their beliefs, but according to who they thought would win. It was more important to them to say they voted for the winner, than to vote according to how they believed, knowing their candidate would lose. Me, I figure voting 3rd party is telling the the 2 big parties what I think of both of them....

But regarding the law, PLEASE write congress! It's very, very easy to do via:

congress.org

Type in your zip code and it gives you the option to write Federal OR State officials about things.

And, yes, I've already fussed.

[bustedlifter]

Stupid law. Man, where to start? How about with Thomas Jefferson, who said; " The strongest reason for people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government" and " The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants".

" people get the government they deserve" de Toqueville

" If it moves, tax it.If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving,. subsidize it. Ronald Reagan"

" The government's job is to protect the people, not run their lives". Ronald Reagan

" Government always costs you money". Rush Limbaugh

[Go2Tex]

Common sence went out when we relected the people who created this economic problem.

Maybe all leather goods should be rated X.

"We" ?? Speak for yourself. I didn't re-elect any of them. As for assigning blame for the economic problems, it's just too complex to figure it out.

One thing is certain, however. If it turns out to be largely the fault of the Liberal policies of the last 40 years that the mainstream media has been enfluencing our electoral process and controlling and manipulating public opinion, we'll never be told. And the problems will just continue to get worse.

[jbird]

I agree with brent on this one we are not in control we have now say in the matter we are just here to pay are taxes the media is not looking out for us.

Josh

Edited January 14, 2009 by jbird

[dirtbag77]

This post got pretty far off topic, but I'm in!

The media isn't liberal. Media is a multibillion dollar business. Rupert Murdoch, the second most powerful man in the busines world according to FORTUNE is the media. The people who work for the media are often liberal. But if you are getting to hear a reporter or columnist's opinion and it has a liberal slant, be assured that in the long run, it serves the purpose of somebody like Murdoch, or really the man himself. Noboy's been hearing jack shinola from the so called "liberal media" about a need to regulate the bank loaning system for the last 5 years. I guess the papers and news channels didn't get their liberal memo. Saying media is liberal is like saying a college is liberal. The teachers and students and janitors may be, but the people running the school are rich dudes and banks who are making BILLIONS of dollars. Liberal media? puhlease.

As for this law, I'd bet my left one that hurting boutique-type businesses isn't only an afterthought, it is the actual purpose of the thing. The end result of this law isn't going to affect imported and dangerous crap, and the companies know it. It's gonna cost them a few hundred thousand more to eliminate the threat of grassroots competition. Remember what happened when people realized how screwed up genetically modified foods were and started buying more organic? The exact same things. Instead of affecting the huge companies who sell you dangerous foods, more regulations were put out to make farmers do more drastic and counterproductive things like more irradiating and adding more bacterias to the foods. These things were really meant to put the small guys out of business. An organic farmer isn't going to do these things and survive, and they know it. A small toy store or furniture maker or LEATHERCRAFTSMAN isn't either.

Rest assured, if there is any real money to be made off of what you are doing, you are a target of exactly this wolf in sheep's clothing type of law. It isn't about sending tax money to the government at all, it is about getting rid of ANY competition for big businesses.