Toy Safety Legislation Hurting Local Toymakers

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By Miranda Grossman

This holiday season is not looking so festive for local toy stores and toymakers. Changes in toy safety legislation have helped ban toxic toys imported from China, but may also be ruining the livelihood of local businesses.

Kate Glynn has worked hard to ensure the toys she sells at her Northampton store are non-toxic and made in the U.S. But she could be losing some of her best-selling products because of new toy safety legislation.

"I don't want to say its going to break my business, I don't want to be pessimistic, but I am very concerned," said Glynn, Owner of 'A Child's Garden' in Northampton.

After thousands of toys, mostly from China, were recalled in 2007, Congress passed tougher regulations. The new rules ban lead in toys and mandate third party-testing and certification. While Glynn thinks the legislation is long overdue, she says it will increase costs for small businesses that will have to pay for testing.

"My vendors are trying to figure out which lines to trim because they cant afford testing," said Glynn. "I am looking at losing lines, or having to increase costs, because if the toys are going to cost the manufacturer more money, it is going to be passed on to me."

Glynn is part of the Handmade Toy Alliance, who wants to see natural materials like wood, silk and wool be exempt from testing or financial help for small businesses. The new rules are being phased in now, and will fully take effect next summer.

Wednesday, Jan 21 at 2:36 PM Lang Fender wrote ...

I make children clothes and doll clothes. All my materials I have purchase, I got from my local fabric and craft shops. I'm sure that the craft stores I use passes safety regulations. Why then do I have to get my items tested?

Sunday, Dec 21 at 10:02 PM Jill Chuckas, www.craftybaby.com wrote ...

Thank you for your story! It should also be noted that this law, as it is currently written, will also affect used goods for children, namely children's products sold on e-bay, on consignment, at tag sales, goodwill, etc. All products that change hands, regardless of whether they are new or old, if they could be construed to be used by children 12 or under, will need to undergo third party testing by the person or store selling the product. The ramifications are enourmous!

Wednesday, Dec 17 at 12:25 PM Kathleen Fasanella wrote ...

Thanks for publicizing this! However, if it only affected toys, we could count ourselves lucky. This affects ANY product intended for kids, meaning clothes, school supplies, boy scout badges, bicycles, and equipment used in classrooms.

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