New law passed basically banning resale of children's clothing (under 12)....

[celticreverie]

There is a new, federal, law that will make the resale of used children's clothing damn near impossible. It will also make it hard for small business' and wahm to make any money if they make clothing, cloth diapers, etc because of the costs of the testing.

While I understand we want to keep our children safe, with this failing economy can we really afford to lose consignment stores, or ebay, or craigslist for childrens clothing?

This is a damn shame.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story

Clothing and thrift trade groups say the law is flawed because it went through Congress too quickly. By deeming that any product not tested for lead content by Feb. 10 be considered hazardous waste, they contend, stores will have to tell customers that clothing they were allowed to sell Feb. 9 became banned overnight.

These groups say the law should be changed so that it applies to products made after Feb. 10, not sold after that date.

That would take action by Congress, however, because the Consumer Product Safety Commission's general counsel has already determined that the law applies retroactively, said commission spokesman Scott Wolfson.

The regulations also apply to new clothing. That won't be a problem for large manufacturers and retailers, industry experts say, but it will be a headache for small operators such as Molly Orr, owner of Molly O Designs in Las Vegas

That is a portion of the law. This means that all clothing sold on Feb 10 will have to have been tested, including resale stores. In the WAHM mom groups there are quite a few people scared about this. I am hoping that Congress changed the law to make it say "clothing produced after feb 10th" but as of this article they haven't.. If you read the article, smaller business are being hit hard by this. The big corporations wont have an issue, and places like good will and salvation army don't sell near enough children's cloths to worry. .

[PhatMommy]

Jan. 4, 2009 at 10:11 PM

That is relly shitty. 

[Howiemom]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 4:33 AM

I have 4 kids, and I buy most of their clothes on eBay in lots, because I'd rather spend money on their food and their future than clothes they'll outgrow in 6 months. This will destroy not only businesses, but families! I'm all about keeping my kids safe, but this is ridiculous!

[ProudSingleMum]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 8:15 AM

Hmm. It seems this is based at businesses.

I would think yardsales and ebay would still be okay. (kinda like it is okay to sell baked goods at a fundraiser eventhough you don't have a food sale license or your kitchen hasn't been 'qualified' to produce products for sale).

I think this goes beyond. I agree that it should NOT be retroactive. Because in many cases the clothes that are being sold are from big corporations....THOSE are the people who should be responsible. Not small businesses that are re-selling this merchandise. It seems that everytime 'big business' should be held countable for things they are messing up, the 'little guy' gets punished for no reason. (like bail-outs that use our tax dollars when we are doing what we can to stay afloat ourselves. and if WE screwed up, the govt wouldnt' just hand us a pile of money to make it all better)

[melamommy24]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 1:31 PM

I'm glad that this law passed. First, those complaining about the cost of testing are assuming they have to go through the federal agency to get items tested. I read the law, and that is NOT accurate. They can test with any third party they please as long as the third party provides accurate results.

Additionally, with the lead found in so many products, I'm glad they're making people find out. There are many consignment shops that don't sell kids clothing and will be just fine. If you do sell kids clothing, find a 3rd party tester that won't charge much. That simple.

[celticreverie]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 2:25 PM

I disagree melamommy. Many WAHM will be hit hard by this, even ones who use organic materials, unless the law is changed or reworded. I buy many many things from etsy.com and a lot of those moms wont be able to afford to keep their business up and running.

This law is going to far. Safety regulations need to be changed and adjusted, this isn't going to help at all.. just make things worse.

(Original Poster)

[melamommy24]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 2:44 PM

Um, did you read the article? Mom's who make things out of organic material would not have to get their items tested. Additionally, the law isn't worded to an exact science, and there is a lot left open to be interpreted. As with a lot of other laws, I think people are over-reacting and making assumptions without really looking into the law very thoroughly and just basing their opinions off of what they hear.

[celticreverie]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 2:55 PM

melamommy24, you apparently need to reread before accusing me of not reading.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, which is responsible for enforcing the law, on Monday will consider exempting clothing and toys made of natural materials such as wool or wood. The commission does not have the authority to change the law but can decide how to interpret it.

As of now, those materials are still included in this law.

(Original Poster)

[celticreverie]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 3:02 PM

Also, what assumptions? The fact that many WAHM's will lose their business as will kids consignment stores? While I would love for their to be better safety standards this law doesn't help with whats already done, it's just going to end up hurting the little guy, and with the economy the way it is, we can't afford this.

(Original Poster)

[Seriously92]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 5:47 PM

Oh my gosh.

I can't read this yet.

I have to go put my helmet on.

For the LOVE OF PETE how SAFE is the Government supposed to make us?  Don't we have HEADS on our SHOULDERS? 

Life isn't fun anymore.

The government is so far up my butt even my poop has "Inspected by #13" stickers on it.

[RepentantSinner]

Jan. 5, 2009 at 6:55 PM

I'm just shocked that there's only 9 comments so far.... I buy a lot of clothes from consignment shops, salvation army, etc.... Of all the things to go after at the moment.... good grief!