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Jan 5, 2009 6:59 pm US/Central
New Law Could Put Small Toymakers Out Of Business
Arezow Doost
NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
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Phthalates, added to plastic toys to make them pliable, may pose serious health risks for children.
CBS
A number of North Texas 'mom-and-pop' toymakers say they're afraid a new federal law will put them out of business.
The law, applying to children's products, was spurred after dozens of toy recalls.
Despite the changes Keri Abshier continues to sew her one-of-a-kind dresses. "I like unique things for my girls," she said. "[I] taught myself to sew."
Christine Stewart hopes she will be able to continue to make batches of Happy Fun Dough, a product she came up with after becoming a mother. "I didn't want them [her children] to put chemicals in their mouth," Stewart said.
With the legal changes, the two stay-at-home-moms are worried.
Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act all children's products must be tested for lead and other harmful substances.
Toymakers are required to pay a third-party lab for the testing and put tracking labels on all toys to show when and where they were made.
While larger companies may be able to afford the testing, Stewart said, at a cost of $1,500-$4,000 to test one batch, she can't. "[One batch] isn't even $4,000 worth of product," she explained.
A Consumer Products Safety Commission spokesperson released a statement that said the commission is currently looking at what product categories may be exempt under the law and understands many small businesses are looking for guidance and determinations before the February deadline.
If her business doesn't qualify for an exemption Abshier said, "I will not be able to do it anymore."
The new law goes into effect February 10th. Those breaking the law could face fines up to $100,000 per violation.
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