Here is an excellent summary of the implications of the CPSIA for books/publishing:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6627969.html?nid=2286
Too bad it took them this long to write anything. The law was passed in August, and
it's only NOW that people are starting to realize the implications.
Adrienne Ehlert Bashista
Media Coordinator
Lead Technology Teacher
Virginia Cross Elementary School
234 Cross School Rd.
Siler City, NC 27344
agbashista@chatham.k12.nc.us
_____
From: Patrice Huckaby [mailto:HuckabyP@south.shcsc.k12.in.us]
To: Adrienne G Bashista [mailto:agbashista@chatham.k12.nc.us]
Sent: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:23:37 -0500
Subject: Re: Target GEN re: ruling changes regarding lead content in items for
children
Thank you for taking the time to write this. I am glad it has been
shared with all of LM_NET, too. I have passed your message on to our
principal and to my colleague who requested it. And to myself at home,
so I can read and concentrate on all the ramifications. I have a
grandchild and it will be of interest to my daughter, who shops eBay and
ONCE UPON A CHILD. I guess this is another example of something that
seems like a good idea, if only it would have been thought through
completely. I will pay more attention to the news and see what else
comes of this.
Have a good weekend.
Patrice Huckaby, media specialist
South Central Elementary School
6595 E. Highway 11 SE
Elizabeth, Indiana 47117
812-969-2973, x7101
HuckabyP@south.shcsc.k12.in.us
>>> "Adrienne G Bashista" <agbashista@chatham.k12.nc.us> 1/9/2009 11:08
AM >>>
The new ruling in terms of lead and pthalate content in items for
children is called the CPSIA (Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act)
and if the law stands as written, it will no doubt have huge
ramifications for libraries and schools, in addition to manufacturers
and distributors of children's products, including publishers, artists,
handcrafters, and children's clothing makers.
It is intended to protect children from exposure to lead and pthalates.
In doing so, it will close down thousands of business across the U.S.
Feb. 10, which is the first deadline, is being called "National
Bankruptcy Day" by children's manufacturers.
The big issue for libraries and schools is lead content. The way the
law is written, there is a minimum allowable lead content for items for
children (600 ppm as of Feb. 10 and 300 ppm in August). The lead content
ruling is retroactive. It applies to anything ever produced for children
under the age of 12. The pthalate ruling is not retroactive.
Everything needs to be tested, whether or not it's likely that the item
contains lead. Children's books are not likely to contain lead, but they
still fall under the law's umbrella.
In addition to my Day Job as school librarian, I also own a micropress.
After February 10, when the law goes into effect, it will be illegal for
me to sell my 2 children's picture books without a certificate from an
accredited lab that states my books have been tested and are not above
the legal limit for lead content. If I do not have this certificate my
books will be classified as hazardous waste and will need to be disposed
of. All children's products (meaning products for children up to and
including the age of 12), in fact, will be classified as such. It will
cost me a minimum of $150 each to test my books. Not a terrible
hardship, but it will certainly impact my bottom line.
In my opinion, the law is (too) wide-reaching, confusing, and if you go
to the CPSC's website and read the FAQ, contradictory.
Here are some facts:
It will be illegal to sell any item meant for children without a
certificate of conformity (meaning the item has been tested and contains
less than the legal limit of lead). All items without a certificate will
be classified as hazardous waste and will have to be sent to a landfill.
Some items, like those made of only wood or cotton, may be exempt (don't
think this applies to books or not, due to the ink)
Per a "clarification" statement put out yesterday by the CPSC
re-sellers (like consignment or thrift stores) will not have to test the
items they sell, but cannot sell items that aren't tested or that "may"
contain lead. Since everything meant for children is required to be
tested, whether or not they're likely to contain lead (children's books
are not likely, for example), then I don't see how this is much of a
clarification.
People who violate this law are subject to a $100,000 fine per instance
of violation.
The law is retroactive. Everything manufactured before and after the
date must have a certificate on file.
So what does that mean for libraries or schools? Legally, will we need
to check that every single item the children have contact with has a
certificate on file? If they don't, will we need to toss them out?
A blog post about cpsia and libraries:
http://c3library.com/2009/01/05/cpsia-and-libraries/
Another blog post about cpsia and libraries, including some mention
that ALA is working on a stance:
http://fenris-lorsrai.livejournal.com/416451.html
My blog, where I've talked a lot about the cpsia:
http://www.idea-girl.net
The CPSIA FAQ: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/faq.html
An excellent source of info. about the CPSIA, by Rick Woldenberg of
Learning Resources, whose company will go under if the law stands as
written:
http://www.learningresources.com/category/id/104512.do?code=CPSIA
And here is a video of Woldenberg on Youtube, where he is giving
comments to Congress about the ramifications of the law, right before
they passed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlY6zOMPqQ
Adrienne Ehlert Bashista
Media Coordinator
Lead Technology Teacher
Virginia Cross Elementary School
234 Cross School Rd.
Siler City, NC 27344
agbashista@chatham.k12.nc.us
_____
From: Patrice Huckaby [mailto:HuckabyP@SOUTH.SHCSC.K12.IN.US]
To: LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
Sent: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:49:31 -0500
Subject: Target GEN re: ruling changes regarding lead content in items
for children
How do you think libraries will be affected by the upcoming changes
(February, I think) regarding lead content in all items aimed at
children up to the age of twelve? Does the new requirement for
total
lead on children's products apply to children's books, cassettes and
CD's, printed game boards, posters and other printed goods used for
children's education? Does anyone understand how this is going to
affect those items which are already in our collections?
****This Message was sent through the Chatham County Schools E-Mail
Server****
All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and
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****This Message was sent through the Chatham County Schools E-Mail Server****
All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the
North Carolina Public Records Law, which may result in monitoring and
disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.
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