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AllisonK's comments:

on Toying with Safety

I just want to highlight another local business that will be impacted by the new CPSIA law.

Boomba Toomba www.boombatoomba.com is a locally owned store that takes pride in carrying affordable, sustainable, locally made, eco friendly items. The owner Shayla carries used clothing to help reduce landfill waste, cloth diapers, baby slings, and more. All new items are made locally by WAHMs, local artists, and local sew houses.

If the micro businesses can no longer manufacture items (due to testing costs) this is going to impact many businesses. Boomba Toomba is only one of them. Others include: local fabric stores (Fabric Depot, Joanns, etc) the USPS, Fed Ex, website designers, web hosting services to name only a few. While one micro business closing will not have much impact on these businesses the thousands across the country will. Off the top of my head I can think of 8 local businesses in Portland and Vancouver that this will impact. I know there are many more!

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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on Toying with Safety

I think this goes back to the issue of importing safe items. Someone is going to buy the beads and make something out of it for someone (either themselves, someone they know, or to sell). Whether its a child making it or an adult making a product, the items used to make it need to be safe. One should not have to worry about buying items at a craft store and whether or not they have lead in them. Testing needs to be done but it should not be at the expense of the thousands of small and micro-businesses.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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on Toying with Safety

Honestly I am unsure what system would work for my type of small business. If testing was affordable and I could test the supplies I use to make the products that might work. If I use a cut of fabric to make a pair of pants then use the leftover fabric to make an art book the materials being used have not changed. I am usig the same fabric and the same thread to make both items. But under this new law I would need to have both items tested as they are different finished products. The supplies I buy I am buying at my local fabric stores, the majority of them are marked children's apparel fabric. If I could use the testing information that is on the bolt of fabric that would work for me as well. From what I understand these fabrics do not have to be tested as they are not a product intended for use by a child under 12. They are intended for use by adults who sew. Apparently its okay that the fabrics many people use to make clothing for their family are not tested for lead but the finished products must be if they are sold.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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on Toying with Safety

I am one of the small businesses that may close because of this law. I sew childrens toys and clothing and sell them online. Most of my items are one of a kind or I create several different items from the fabric I am using. Testing each batch is not a possibility for me as my products are made (in my living room!) as a batch of one. I am not against testing. I am a mom to four kids and think toy safety is needed, but there must be a better way than closing down thousands of home based and small businesses.

posted 4 years, 5 months ago
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