CPSIA Fly-In, Rally & Congressional Briefing in DC

Implementation of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is following a worst-case scenario for manufacturers, retailers, charities, and consumers. Thanks to the flaws in this law, millions of perfectly safe products are in the process of being destroyed, costing U.S. businesses billions of dollars in the midst of one of the worst economic crises in U.S. history. Charitable organizations and thrift stores are being forced to pull inventory from their shelves at a time when American families need them more than ever. The supply of science supplies to schools is being curtailed. Youth model ATV and dirt bikes are no longer available creating a safety issue because more than 90% of injuries to kids on ATVs occur on large adult size models. Even libraries are at risk of legal liability for lending children’s books. Billions of dollars of safe, new inventory is being sent to landfills. Fair trade products that are made in small batches are soon going to disappear. Natural children's products produced locally, or imported from Europe are starting to disappear. Domestic manufacturers of children's products will shut down and/or move production to China. This isn't theoretical anymore, it is happening.

All of these violations of common sense are being done in the name of “safety”.

From unrealistic compliance deadlines that made it impossible for industry or the Consumer Product Safety Commission to adequately prepare before the law went into effect, to the unprecedented decision to retroactively apply the new lead standards and phthalates ban to inventory already sitting in stores and warehouses, CPSIA is causing massive disruptions to industries across the board, particularly small and medium-sized businesses.

No one wants lead in children's products. No one wants nasty chemicals, whatever those are. But this law doesn't properly address safety, while killing the very products that you value: natural wood, organic cotton, locally produced. Soon go be gone.

So far, Congress has ignored the calls of thousands of small businesses, charities, parents and teachers to fix the flaws in this legislation, refusing even to hold public hearings on the problem. That’s why business and charitable groups are organizing an open hearing and rally on Capitol Hill to give testimony, provide information and bring attention to the CPSIA crisis. Wide participation is anticipated in this unique event to call upon Congress to urgently fix the CPSIA.

Date and Location: April 1, 2009, Capitol Hill [Room and Time TBD] Rally information to be available soon too.

Speakers will include Members of Congress and representatives from:
• Charitable Organizations
• National Association of Manufacturers and/or U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Small Business owners from various industries affected by CPSIA
• Motorcycle and ATV dealerships
• Publishers and Library Associations
• Product safety and lead experts (to discuss science-based risk assessment)

IMPORTANT NOTES: 3/17
-If you plan to go, or want regular updates, you can let us know here, but it is important to sign-up at AmendTheCPSIA.com
-Briefing from 10-11:30 am.
-Meetings with Congressmen & Senators in afternoon. Jill Chuckas is heading up the committee to arrange the meetings.
-Official Website: www.AmendTheCPSIA.com
-Facebook Page
-If you want to get involved contact AprilRally@AmendTheCPSIA.com

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