Handmade Toy Alliance Members Remain Committed to Changing the CPSIA

Stamford, CT, March 10, 2009 --(PR.com)-- A month after the February 10th enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), across the country, members of the Handmade Toy Alliance (HTA) continue their vehement efforts to make common sense changes to this broad reaching legislation that has done little to improve safety in children’s products. Through a variety of grass roots efforts, HTA members have made significant advances in educating the public, industry groups and Congress on the need for a technical amendment to the CPSIA.

CPSIA-Central (www.cpsia-central.ning.com) was first created in November of 2008 “in order to be a forum for people from all affected industries to share ideas and information, while coordinating efforts for change,” its creator and HTA member, Rob Wilson shared. A social network developed to gain information on action needed and to better understand implications of the law, CPSIA-Central has become a nationally recognized place for concrete information on the CPSIA.

HTA members in Oregon quickly rallied and formed the Northwest Children's Business Alliance (NWCBA), a collection of over 100 manufacturers and store owners who have gathered together numerous times for press conferences, strategy meetings, advocacy related events and meetings with Senator Merkley's staff. Jennifer Fuentes, organizer of the NWCBA shared “Oregon is blessed with hundreds of small businesses dedicated to providing safe, natural products for families.” Fuentes goes on to say “Seeing this well-intentioned but poorly executed legislation threaten the livelihood of these mostly women-owned enterprises required grassroots action to make sure that our voices were heard."

In CA, Treehouse in the Glen owner Dan Scott, hosted a free XRF Lead Screening Day as part of his community outreach and education efforts. “I routinely speak about the impact of the CPSIA when we have special events at the store,” Scott stated. Treehouse in the Glen also ran a full page Ad in the Bay Area Parent February Silicon Valley Edition that included a discourse on the CPSIA and the HTA’s effort to correct the legislation.

Throughout the country, members have met with members of Congress to share the HTA’s vision for an amendment of the CPSIA. Most recently, a group of members in Massachusetts met with a member of Senator Kerry’s staff discussing the negative affects of the CPSIA on the HTA membership and offering common sense solutions. “The invitation to meet with Senator Kerry’s staff showed a developing interest on their part, and really appeared to open eyes to the toll this law is taking on small businesses,” Adam Frost of the Wooden Wagon stated. “We had a sense that many of our concerns had not yet been considered in Washington, and that this was an effective first step to dispelling some of the myths surrounding the CPSIA.” In Vermont, Cecilia Leibovitz of Craftsburykids.com and Marianne Mullen of Polka Dot Boutique, attended a meeting between staffers from both Sen. Leahy’s and Sen. Sanders’ offices and small Vermont businesses. Both were very open to HTA concerns and keeping communications open.

Networking meetings with affiliated industries such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) has become common place. Dan Marshall, of Peapods Natural Toys and Baby Care in Minnesota, attended a recent advocacy meeting in his state. “I got a chance to meet several other business owners who have also been working on the CPSIA, including the CEO of a regional chain of specialty toy stores, representatives from Goodwill and Once Upon A Child, and several other local business owners,” Marshall shared. “Several of us agreed to work together to request a meeting with Sen. Klobuchar.”

All members of the HTA continue daily and weekly letter writing campaigns to their members of Congress and media outlets in an effort to gain awareness for their plights, both individually and as a group. Many have started regular blog posts and reached out to friends and family across the country to communicate with Congress their opinions of the CPSIA. “It is amazing how many different advocacy roles our members have taken on”, Jill Chuckas of Crafty Baby in CT shared. “For myself, I have taken on the roles of press liaison and lobbyist. It is truly remarkable what we are all capable of when we work together on a common goal.”

The Handmade Toy Alliance is a grassroots alliance of 326 toy stores, toymakers and children's product manufacturers from across the country, who want to preserve consumer access to unique handmade toys, clothes and children's goods in the USA. They are parents, grandparents and consumers who are passionate about their businesses as well as the safety of the children in their lives. While in support of the spirit of the law, the unintended consequences of the CPSIA has motivated them to work to enact change at a federal level.

Dan Marshall, Peapods Natural Toys & Baby Care (St. Paul, MN)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 651-695-5559
dan@peapods.com
www.handmadetoyalliance.org

Jill Chuckas, Crafty Baby, Owner, Designer (Stamford, CT)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 888-788-5168
jill@craftybaby.com www.handmadetoyalliance.org

Cecilia Leibovitz, President
Craftsbury Kids (Montpelier,VT)
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 802-223-7143
ceci@craftsburykids.com
www.handmadetoyalliance.org

Rob Wilson, Vice President, Challenge & Fun
The Handmade Toy Alliance
Tel. 888-384-6200
hta@challengeandfun.com
www.handmadetoyalliance.org

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