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Topic: The sale and sharing of used books threatened! For your Info:

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Subject: The sale and sharing of used books threatened! For your Info:
Date Posted: 1/8/2009 12:36 PM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2007
Posts: 173
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Effective February 10, 2009, in the United States, the sale of
all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and
under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior
to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in
production are required to include a "lead-free" certification
and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.

What does this mean to the homeschooling family?

Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be
canceled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply
with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be
destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!
Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to
close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.

Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the
ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process
anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.

No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give
away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how
the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling
doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or
giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --
libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.

(The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has
since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included
in "children's toys".)

Just how serious is this new law?

Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.
No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to
compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-
facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause
to be able to grandfather-

in older books or even rare out-of-print
books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.

I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books
from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after
February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is
a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.

(Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a
reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly
violating Federal law.)

So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that
sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?
Or your EBay business selling children's items?

ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:

1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at
888-531-9070.
Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov
<mailto:Sec102ComponentPartsTesting%40cpsc.gov>

2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
tion, just enter your zip code.


3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in
each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.


4) Sign the petition.

5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write
about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and
encourage them to do the same.


Last Edited on: 1/9/09 11:20 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 1/8/2009 2:13 PM ET
Member Since: 9/29/2007
Posts: 174
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The links aren't working.  What are the URLS please so I can act?  Thanks!

dappledart avatar
Date Posted: 1/8/2009 4:46 PM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2006
Posts: 2,303
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I do not know much about it, but I have pieced together the broken links:

2. http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/

3. http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

4. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 1/8/2009 4:50 PM ET
Member Since: 11/12/2005
Posts: 1,396
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Here is the latest from the CPSC website:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

Theresa

Generic Profile avatar
Subject: Sorry about the links, I do not know why the copied that way.
Date Posted: 1/9/2009 11:18 AM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2007
Posts: 173
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PBS staff answered my questions on how it would affect us. Here is their reply;

We're glad to tell you that this law will not affect us.  See the press release dated 1/8/2009.  The relevant excerpts follow:
 
"The new law requires that domestic manufacturers and importers certify that children’s products made after February 10 meet all the new safety standards and the lead ban. Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
 
The new safety law does not require resellers to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold.
 
The agency has underway a number of rulemaking proposals intended to provide guidance on the new lead limit requirements. Please visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov for more information."

Here are a few of the links  http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx   It says comments are accepted through Jan 30, 2009

and then for number 2 link  http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/  also you can email sec102componentspartstesting@cpsc.gov