H.R. 968 would amend the Consumer Product Safety Act to provide regulatory relief to small and family-owned businesses.
Detailed Summary
Declares that this Act is enacted pursuant to the constitutional power granted to Congress to regulate commerce.
Amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to allow a secondhand seller to sell, offer for sale, or distribute a product or substance that is not in conformity with a consumer product safety rule relating to lead in children's products or to currently-required labeling for children's products. Defines "secondhand seller" to include: (1) a consignment or thrift shop; (2) an individual who uses the Internet, a yard sale, or other casual means; or (3) a person who sells such a product at an auction to benefit a nonprofit organization.
Delays by six months each required step down in the allowed lead level in children's products. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.
Prevents a specified requirement for third-party children's product safety testing from going into effect before August 9, 2009. Applies this change as though it had taken effect on August 15, 2008.
Relieves a manufacturer from the requirement to test or certify a product regarding lead content if the manufacturer has tested and certifies each component of the product.
Prohibits either the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or any state attorney general from initiating an enforcement proceeding under the Consumer Product Safety Act or the Federal Hazardous Substances Act regarding product certification and labeling and children's products containing lead until 30 days after the issuance of final rules, regulations, or guidance.
Requires the CPSC to waive any civil penalty for a good faith first violation of a prohibition under the Act.
Requires the CPSC to develop, publish, and distribute a guide to assist small enterprises in complying with the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act and other Acts enforced by the CPSC.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 2/10/2009: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Brenda Direen from American Canvas
February 16, 2009, 12:32pm (report abuse)As a screen printer who focuses on providing sweatshop free and Eco friendly apparel it would be absurd to turn our $12.75 organic infant one piece w/ 2 color print into a $1200.00 unit to sell to the retailers that order from us. Component testing of the yarn, thread, snaps and our inks would suffice. Being charged to retest everything is currently causing us to tell our clients we are not printing their children's lines until this is resolved.
DeputyHeadmistress
February 26, 2009, 12:48pm (report abuse)No child has ever been harmed by lead in a book, yet, thanks to the CPSIA, my library is pulling all their 1985 and earlier children's books and will have to dispose of them.
I keep hearing that the destruction of the motor bike industry, the removal of all children's products from thrift stores, the banning of pre-1985 books if they've not been tested- these are all 'unintended consequences.' If they are unintended consequences, why not fix them? Senator DeMint's reform bill is vital.