You Learn Something New Everyday

When I first heard about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CSPIA), I wasn’t too concerned because I knew that our products were already well in compliance of the established levels – even far below them.

I knew this because, from the beginning, we have been committed to meeting global organic standards and sourcing materials that are safe for the environment, for workers, and for babies. So why would a company whose very mission it is to use safe, organic materials have to test for lead?

Upon doing my due diligence, however, I learned that we are affected by the CPSIA. I was astonished and I started doing everything I could to let my Senators and Representatives know how I felt about this law and how it impacts my company.

I sent letters, faxes, and emails only to receive canned responses about how proud they were of this new law or, sadly, no replies at all.  Not once did anyone of them acknowledge my concerns.

I’ll admit that it has been many years since my government civics class, but last time I checked we do vote these people in office and they are not only supposed listen to us, but also represent our interests.

And when I go to the CPSC website and (at last count) see that there are over 60 documents in reference to this one law I wonder if any of these Members of Congress are even paying attention?

Their methodology of sweeping any product intended for children 12 and under into a law, then setting completely unrealistic deadlines and guidelines is deeply flawed. Add to this that the CPSC now has to pick apart this law piece-by-piece in order to determine how to oversee compliance and it doesn’t seem like the ideal way to handle product “safety,” does it? If they actually wanted businesses to comply with the law and products to be “safe” they would have taken a much different approach.

So the question I started to ask was how on earth did this piece of broad-based legislation pass without really much mention?  And with a little bit of research I found some startling information. For reference, you can find information about the origins of the bill here and here. Since Government Tracker claims to not be affiliated with any government agencies and hopefully no public interest groups I feel somewhat confident sharing the link where I learned the information below.

While doing my research, I found an interesting statement regarding HR 4040: Dec 19, 2007:

This bill passed in the House of Representatives by roll call vote. The vote was held under a suspension of the rules to cut debate short and pass the bill, needing a two-thirds majority. This usually occurs for non-controversial legislation. The totals were 407 Ayes, 0 Nays, 25 Present/Not Voting.

Non-controversial legislation? Well, this is news to me!  Maybe at the time this was considered “non-controversial” because no one knew about it, but this law is anything but non-controversial.  Just last week, Nancy Nord (the Acting Chair at the CPSC) was blasted by my Senator from Illinois.  I’m not kidding – the actual title of the post is “Durbin Blasts CPSC Chair for Recent Comments on Criticizing New Consumer Safety Laws”.

There are letters going back and forth between Senators and Representatives and the CPSC and there is name calling and finger pointing yet no progress.

People always say, “you learn something new every day,” and it seems that no matter where I turn in this process, I am learning something new whether I like it or not.

Progress must be made and this law must be changed which is why I feel it is so important to be in Washington at the rally.

Looking forward to meeting many of you in DC!

Jennifer

Chapter One Organics