Response from Sen Harkin about CPSIA

I will say, this is the first time Harkin has ever done anything that I found to be non irritating. The man has actually gone UP a notch in my book.

Note, he thinks my concerns are bogus. He says the same thing that many Congressmen have said – there’s an exemption for one of a kind items. (There isn’t.) But he does seem to have read my letter. AND his response is focused and he resists the temptation to blather on about the wonderful things he’ll do with my tax money this year. (Though I didn’t ask for a blanket small business exemption, and his letter implies I did.)

Mrs. Sarah Reid
xxxxxxxxxxx
Des Moines, IA xxxx

Dear Sarah:

	Thank you for contacting me.  I am always glad to hear from you.

	I appreciate hearing your comments regarding the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA). I was a proud co-sponsor of this legislation.
This past year, Iowa's families were frightened by story after story of
dangerous products that had to be recalled. There were 472 product recalls
last year alone. From pet food to kitchen appliances, consumers were often
left wondering whether the products they were using everyday were safe.
One of the most upsetting occurrences was the news of toxic toys that
contained hazardous lead paint. More than 20 million toys were recalled
last year due to lead paint.

	As you know, in order to better protect consumers, Congress passed the
CPSIA to provide new safety and accountability standards for manufactured
goods. It also authorized a much needed infusion of resources to the
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the federal agency responsible
for protecting American consumers. Recent recalls have made it painfully
clear that the CPSC is grossly underfunded and understaffed. The bill we
passed will ensure the CPSC can beef up its staff and provide the
oversight Americans expect.

	One important safety provision included in the bill is the requirement of
third-party testing and certification for children's products. I believe
this is a crucial provision. It is vital that Americans know the products
they are purchasing, especially for their children, are safe. I also
recognize that this testing process may create a burden for small
manufacturers. For that reason, I am pleased the law provides an exemption
for crafters who only make one copy of each item. Furthermore, I
understand the Commission is examining an additional exemption for
products made from untreated wood or natural fibers. I am also hopeful
that as more testing companies are founded, the costs of meeting the law's
requirements will come down.
	I do not, however, favor a blanket exemption for all small businesses.
Many recalls in the past have come from small manufacturers, and it is
imperative that parents know that a product does not contain lead, no
matter who manufactured it. While I am extremely sympathetic that this
requirement may be a significant burden for many small businesses, I
believe our children's health and safety must come first and testing is a
necessary safeguard.

	Again, thanks for sharing your views with me.  Please don't hesitate to
let me know how you feel on any issue that concerns you.

					Sincerely,

					Tom Harkin
					United States Senator