Toy Laws Threaten Micro-Businesses

By Virginia Prescott on Wednesday, January 14, 2009.

Today on Word of Mouth, we look at a controversial piece of legislation aimed at ensuring child safety. It started with the 2007 recall of toys produced in China that were found to have high concentrations of lead. Since then, some 30 million lead-tainted toys have been pulled from the shelves. Congress passed a set of strict regulations back in August which go into effect on February 10th. The new rules mandate rigorous testing for all products made for children aged twelve and under – clothing, toys, books, you name it. But the tests are expensive, costing anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand per item.

The high cost of testing threatens to sink micro-manufacturers, the cottage businesses that make and sell handmade products. Larger-scale clothing and toy retailers, booksellers, libraries and thrift stores are also worried. Alana Semuels has been reporting on this story for the L.A. Times, and she talks to us from Los Angeles.

(Photo by hownowdesign)

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I make and sell baby slings (carriers). If I were to continue to sell my current range, I'd be looking at over $10,000 in testing. I don't use any materials that are at risk for lead contamination, but if I don't test, I will be breaking the law. I'm trying to sell what I have before Feb. 10, and will be buying materials that are exempt (undyed, basically) but I don't know if I will keep my customer base when all I can offer is off-white.

Submitted by Jan Heirtzler on Fri, 01/16/2009 - 16:07.

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Word of Mouth is all about what's new. Online and on-air, the show looks at our fascinating and ever-changing world, and puts the latest ideas under a microscope. Word of Mouth investigates everything from science and technology, to health and the environment, to new trends in popular culture. The show airs Monday through Thursday at noon and is hosted by Virginia Prescott.