URGENT Update

Earlier today, the CPSC issued a clarification that the mandatory testing requirement will NOT apply to resale of children's products manufactured before February 10, 2009. The stricter lead limits will still apply to allchildren's articles though, and the CPSC has suggested to thrift and consignment shops and other resellers of children's products that they should avoid reselling products that are more likely to contain lead (such as metal jewelry or painted toys) unless they have those products tested.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html
The handmade clothing and toy industries are still awaiting a ruling on whether they, too, will be exempted from mandatory testing requirements. If you are interested in ensuring that your favorite crafts people on etsy and eBay and your favorite small toy and clothing companies will be able to continue to do business in the US, please do continue to raise your voice,and contact your senators and representatives about your concerns.For those of you wondering what has been going on, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which goes into effect on February 10th, bans the sale of childrens' products (such as clothes and toys) unless they meet certain lead limits. While the CPSC has decided that items manufactured before February 10, 2009 are not required to be tested for lead (though they do still need to meet the new, stricter lead limits), new items sold after that date must be certified to be lead-free. This means that small businesses, such as makers of handmade clothing and toys that cannot afford the costs of the mandatory testing of their finished products, will exit theU.S. market.