Comments on: Natural and Handmade Toys Could be Made Illegal?

By: Green & Clean Mom

Green & Clean Mom — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:28:42 +0000

Thanks for saying hello and for your support. I agree, this is such an important issue.

By: Sarah Morrisseau

Sarah Morrisseau — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:10:02 +0000

I sincerely hope that this issue does not get pushed to the side with everything else that is on the gov’t plate. Safe toys for our kids is such an important issue and although i can see why this piece of legislation initially sounded like a good idea, we may have shot ourselves in the foot, yet again. Thanks so much for keeping me updated on issues like this one, that are so important. I have really enjoyed reading your articles, keep them coming and have a great week!
-S

By: Angeline

Angeline — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:22:10 +0000

Regarding Sommer’s response “Because of us (e.g. green moms) your children will have safer toys without lead!”:
This boils down to a philosophical debate. I advocate and vote for less government regulation in all areas where personal responsibility and the free market can, in my opinion, create a better result. So any assertion that I, or people like me, appreciate being kept “safer” through the political advocacy of special interest groups is erroneous. I have full confidence that I can keep my kids safe without interference from government or other parents. For that matter I think that all parents have the power to keep their kids safe without interference from government or other parents. I would prefer to see parents who care about toy safety to use their energy to create safe-toy distributor collaboratives, rather than sending letters to government to create more laws to do so. We have the power to make the change we want to see, it is all about how we chose to use it.

By: Green & Clean Mom

Green & Clean Mom — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:08:04 +0000

Advocating for the government to not allow toy manufacturers to make toys with lead and unsafe parts because it is cheaper is a positive thing but I think you are confused because the letter is to advocating for something to be revised. All of us wanting government to regulate toy safety are pleased with the swift response but what is wrong with revisions that give us choices as consumers and protect handmade toy companies?

http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/how-you-can-help

“I urge you to quickly rewrite the CPSIA so that toys made in batches of less than 5,000 units per year or manufactured within the USA and trusted countries with established toy safety regimes such as Canada and the European Union be held exempt from third party testing requirements. Such toys could still be subject to random auditing by the CPSC.

If you feel that testing should still be required, then the CPSC should be made to offer free testing services for USA toymakers and importers from Europe or Canada with revenues less than one million dollars.”

This being said, it is still important that the government mandates for safer toys because big companies are importing things from China that can hurt our children and even if we as consumers make smart buying choices, we can be fooled by trusted bigger companies. Consumers need to have some safety and assurance. I can shop all I want for safe toys and make careful choices but this regulation verify the toys safety, there just needs to be some revisions.

This is not a plea for just Natural Pod but all handmade smaller toy companies. Natural Pod is a great example that I can give my readers to help make this change in the legislation.

I would also like to note that it might be necessary to thank all of us that have written letters and advocate for this legislation and want to make sure it is just and fair before it is passed. Because of us (e.g. green moms) your children will have safer toys without lead!

By: Angeline

Angeline — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:25:39 +0000

I find it confusing that groups that are forever lobbying for the government to get more involved in the regulation of toy safety (e.g., green moms) are now lobbying for the government to leave certain toy manufacturers alone. Which is it people? When it comes to government regulation it is all or nothing, our friends do not get special exception. That is why I always advocate for less government involvement and more personal responsibility when choosing toys. Carefully shopping for toys, as Sommer says she does, is the best way to make sure our kids have quality toys. This “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act” is the direct result of parents constantly demanding that the government do more to make toys safer. Instead of writing letters begging special dispensation for Natural Pod, think of all the letters you have already written that has made this happen.

By: misty

misty — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:33:08 +0000

thanks so much! sending my letter right now!

By: Missy

Missy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:48:32 +0000

Good grief. Though I do not have kids myself, I have plenty of nieces and nephews and worry about their health and wellness as well. Good post and thanks for bringing up the subject!

By: Anna

Anna — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:44:45 +0000

Thanks for adding my site to Natual Pod’s testimonies. I read your post today with shock. This is a company that should not be turned away at the US doors. I have to agree with Carla. It seems that one hand gives and the other takes away.

By: Carla

Carla — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:21:25 +0000

It seems like if its not one thing, its another. Thanks for the heads-up! Carlas last blog post..Emperor “Clean Coal” has no clothes

By: Leslie- La Mama Naturale'

Leslie- La Mama Naturale' — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:10:11 +0000

Hi there,

Thanks for linking up- and thanks for sharing the information. I will be blogging about this also. I hope we can change the law!

Leslie- La Mama Naturale’s last blog post..The Advent Calendar Tradition