New regulations took effect February 10, 2009 under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), passed by Congress last year in response to widespread recalls of products that posed a threat to children.

The law mandates that all products, including clothing, sold for those age 12 and younger be tested for lead and phthalates (chemicals used to make plastics more pliable).

While the main target of the new policy is large businesses, it also affects resale of items through thrift stores, garage sales, and online at sites like eBay, Craigslist, etc.  Resellers are not required to test children’s products in inventory for compliance with the lead limit before they are sold.  However, they cannot sell children’s products that exceed the lead limit or are on the recall list.  If they do, they could face civil and/or criminal penalties.  As a result, many charities and re-sale stores have placed restrictions on the items they are accepting.

Below is a partial list of children’s products that are affected:

• clothing with metal and/or painted appliqués
• painted wooden or metal toys
• books printed prior to 1985
• strollers
• car seats
• baby carriers
• baby cribs
• baby beds
• play pens and play yards

To read more about this new regulation, and its effects:
CPSC website/What’s New:
http://www.cpsc.gov/About/cpsia/cpsia.html#whatsnew

CPSC Recalls and Product Safety News:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html

CPSC Guide: Pages 7, 8 and 11 are particularly helpful:
http://www.cpsc.gov/ABOUT/Cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.pdf

NARTS (National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops) Website:
http://www.narts.org/cpsia_info.htm

I’ll be reporting more on this policy as issues are clarified.  In the meantime, see the Resources page on my website for different disposal options.