Thursday, 08 January 2009

• Books for Children under 12 are to be Banned in the US

  I received this in my email today!  I am passing it on.
  
  The Sale of Children's Books to be Banned
  
  Oh, how I wish this were a joke! But it is a grim and looming,
  almost Orwellian, reality.
  
  Effective February 10th, in the United States, the sale of
  all children's books (books intended for children ages 12 and
  under) is to be PROHIBITED. Every single book printed prior
  to the ruling is affected, whether new or used. New books in
  production are required to include a "lead-free" certification
  and will be the only books that are legal to offer for sale.
  
  What does this mean to the homeschooling family?
  
  Well, for one, curriculum fairs across the country will be
  cancelled as book vendors scramble to figure out how to comply
  with the new ruling. Complete book inventories will have to be
  destroyed -- the ruling even prohibits giving away the books!
  Local thrift stores will be hard hit -- most will likely have to
  close their doors -- yes, even Goodwill and Salvation Army.
  
  Clothing, toys and books -- even CDs and DVDs are included in the
  ruling. Thrift stores will no longer be able to accept or process
  anything (including clothing) that would be intended for a child.
  
  No more library sales. Libraries will not be permitted to give
  away or sell book donations. It is unsure yet, however, how
  the libraries' shelves themselves will be impacted (the ruling
  doesn't explicitly mention "loaning" books, just selling or
  giving them away). The key word, however, is "distribution" --
  libraries may well be required to destroy books from their shelves.
  
  (The ruling that originally passed was about toys, but the EPA has
  since made a statement that clothing, books and media are included
  in "children's toys".)
  
  Just how serious is this new law?
  
  Amazon.com has already notified all vendors of their need to comply.
  No book can be sold at the Amazon site that was printed prior to
  compliance. And the "compliance" must be coordinated at the manu-
  facturing stage. At the time of this article there is no clause
  to be able to grandfather-in older books or even rare out-of-print
  books. It can cost between $500 and $1500 to test a book for lead.
  
  I happen to own a children's bookstore specializing in living books
  from the 1950s and '60s. My punishment for selling a book after
  February 10th? Up to $100,000 and 5 years in jail. And yes, it is
  a felony charge. For selling a SINGLE book.
  
  (Although I don't think the S.W.A.T. team scenario would become a
  reality overnight, at the same time I would be leery of blatantly
  violating Federal law.)
  
  So what can you do to help save your local used bookstore that
  sells children's books? Or that homeschool curriculum business?
  Or your EBay business selling children's items?
  
  ACT NOW before the quickly approaching deadlines:
  
  1) Email or call the CPSIA - the office of the CPSC ombudsman at
  888-531-9070. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
  
  Comments on Component Parts Testing accepted through January 30,
  2009. Or email: Sec102ComponentPartsTesting@cpsc.gov
  
  2) Contact your local representatives. For their contact informa-
  tion, just enter your zip code.
  http://capwiz.com/americanapparel/dbq/officials/
  
  3) Make your voice heard by voting on this issue! The top 3 in
  each category will be presented to President-elect Obama.
  http://change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia
  
  4) Sign the petition.
  http://ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA/index.html
  
  5) Spread the word! Forward this article. Send an email. Write
  about this on your blog. Tell others about this issue and
  encourage them to do the same.
  
  ---
  
  For the complete story, read the following links:
  
  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html
  
  Consumer Product Safety Commission Summaries on Legislation Index
  page for Children's Products Containing Lead; Lead Paint Rule and
  other rulings
  
  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/legislation.html#summaries
  
  Office of the General Counsel FAQ on retroactive inventory require-
  ments -- The use of forward effective dates appears to force current
  inventories to adhere to the ruling on February 10th, 2009
  
  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/101brief.html
  
  Specific FAQ on their interpretation of books and other media to be
  included in the testing of lead based products
  
  http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/101faq.html
  
  Effective Date: Lead content limit of 600 ppm becomes effective 180
  days after enactment. An advisory opinion regarding the application
  of the new lead limit to inventory existing at the effective date
  can be found on our web site at
  http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/317.pdf
  
  Getting the Lead out: There is no lead in children's books
  http://news.bookweb.org/news/5695.html
  
  There is no lead in Children's books: From a Pediatrician
  
  http://health.yahoo.com/experts/childhealth/3955/is-there-lead-in-baby-books/
  
  Update:
  
  Here is one thing I found on the CPSC site which came out today:
  
  Sellers of used children’s products, such as thrift stores and consignment stores, are not required to certify that those products meet the new lead limits, phthalates standard or new toy standards.
  

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