Sunday, January 25, 2009

Bloggy Giveaways: CPSIA Protest Giveaway

As part of the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival, Goodies for Mom is hosting a Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) Protest Giveaway of the wonderful baby products below.

For those of you who may not be aware, congress passed a law last August called the "Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act," and the first phase goes into effect on February 10. The goal of this act is very noble: to provide safe toys and products to children under 12.

So what is the problem, right? Who does not want our children to be safe? Why the protest? Well, the problem is that this law mandates expensive testing for lead on batches of each individual component of products and puts the legal liability on the US manufacturer, importer, handcrafter, and small business. This is a problem because small businesses and handcrafters have very small batches of items and very low profit margins. Some products would cost thousands of dollars to test because of their complexity. It is also requiring retesting of components already tested at the supplier level. In addition, it is requiring testing of organic or natural items and all fabric, all of which have a low chance of containing lead.

This testing requirement is causing many small businesses and handcrafters to eliminate products, sell off inventory at a large loss, dispose of unsold inventory that will end up in landfills, and many more to close their businesses. These businesses are a vital part of our economy and help to put food on tables and roofs over the heads of thousands of small business owners. Adding to this already desperate situation for many is that the law is written so ambiguously that many are still confused if their products are included, what is required exactly of them and what is their liability come February 10. The law also leaves much of the interpretation up to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an already overburdened, understaffed agency, and who has been very slow to respond to the situation.

Why was this law needed? Unfortunately it was needed because according to the CPSC website between 2006 and 2009, slightly more than 200 products were recalled due to dangerous levels of lead in them. Let us look at these statistics a little closer. Of those recalls, 184 were from China. Guess how many were from products manufactured in the United States? ZERO!! What about recalls on products using dyed or printed fabric? Only one, which was a vinyl screen printed product, and again produced in China. Yes, expensive testing is being forced upon US manufacturers who appear to have done nothing wrong.

How does this affect you? Many innovative children's products will be eliminated, product lines will be drastically cut, boutiques will close, prices will rise, and handcrafted items will no longer be produced for you to purchase.

Here are just a couple quotes from businesses in regards to this new legislation:

"The moms who are behind the products offered on Mom 4 Life are ambitious, hardworking, driven and creative. They have invented or crafted quality products that solve real needs. Unfortunately, the more creative the product is, the less likely that we will be able to continue selling it...Protecting our children and supporting our mom inventors should not be an oxymoron." Heather Ledeboer, Owner of Mom 4 Life

"I have been thrilled to take the leap into doing my business full time. Recently I was awarded a Grant through the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center to help me grow my business. Basically all signs are pointing towards taking my business to the next level, but if I can't produce & sell the line of baby & toddler clothes I've been working on, this business as I know it will have to shut down." Willo O'Brien, Owner/Designer, WilloToons

"At the moment I am doing whatever I can to stay open, and if I can manage to do that I will have to eliminate many items from my line and possibly raise prices." Kim Evans, Girl Party Tutu's

"Babycapes was determined to produce our garment in the United States, putting Americans to work, despite the fact that it was close to three times more expensive than had we gone overseas to China or India. If the law goes into effect as it stands, we will either be forced to increase our prices, limit the number of choices, move production from the U.S. to overseas, or close our business entirely." Suzi Crowder, Babycapes

Update: CPSC Grants One Year Stay of Testing and Certification Requirements for Certain Products
__________________________________

HOW TO WIN
Just leave us a comment on this post before midnight EST on January 31, 2009. (Open to US Only)

Extra Chances to Win
1.) Visiting the giveaway sponsors and leave a comment here with your favorite product on their site (one chance per sponsor) 2.) Blogging about this giveaway and/or the CPSIA and its effect on many mom-owned businesses 3.) Twitting about the giveaway or CPSIA (Leave a comment for each up to 5 extra entries.)

All the items included in this giveaway will be impacted by the CPSIA:


  • Tagless Flawless Infant Gift Set from Happy Panda
    The entire set is tagless and made in America of 100% soft combed cotton baby rib fabric. Our hats have an adjustable top knot and the bib features a Velcro closure. The lap t design on the gown makes it easy to get on and off your Happy Panda. (Testing for this $35 item will be $1350.00.) [Read more]

  • Probreastfeeding Infant Onsie from Cushie Pushie Company
    Babies love creepin', crawlin' and sleepin' in our super comfy, 100% cotton jersey knit Infant Creeper. Infant clothes shouldn't be hard to change, so our three-snap bottom helps ease those nasty diaper changes. Great baby stuff for your special little one. (These are printed on a custom basis from CafePress, so testing would be thousands for each individual piece printed so these will be no longer produced unless the law changes.)
  • Babycapes Outerwear for Little Ones
    Bulky coats and blankets can impede the effectiveness of your child's car seat harness. Keep your child snug, comfortable, warm, and most importantly, safe with Babycapes, Innovative Outerwear for Little Ones! Babycapes unique, patents-pending back opening allows you to transition baby from the house to car to stroller or front carrier without unbundling. Because it goes on over the harness straps, Babycapes does not interfere with the effectiveness of the restraints in any way. (Babycapes will either be forced to increase prices, limit the number of choices, move production from the U.S. to overseas, or close business entirely.) [Read more on their blog]
  • Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow for Nursing Moms
    The Cushie Pushie Breastfeeding Pillow is made for breastfeeding mothers by a mother. It is a pillow designed to help you gain the correct breast position for easier breastfeeding. This breastfeeding pillow pushes your breast upward in order to allow easy latching by your nursing baby, while maintaining correct positioning throughout the feeding. (Still unsure the impact because it is actual made for moms but it could be classified as "facilititates feeding" due to the many ambiguous wordings in the law. This would then include nursing bras, nursing tops, breastfeeding pillows, and more.Testing is way too cost prohibitive so we would close if something is not changed from current status.)
  • Tie Onesies by My HodgePodgerie (new addition)
    (courtesy of Mom 4 Life)
    These are Carters 100% cotton super soft onesies with My HodgePodgerie's tie applique fused onto the onesie and then machine stitched for added durability. (Created by a small mom-owned business that creates small quantities of lots of different items, hence the name of the company.)
  • octohug (embroidered) onesie from WilloToons (18-24 mos.) Sometimes you have to give yourself a big hug! And sometimes you’ll find it impossible to resist giving your cutie pie a big squeeze or eight when they’re wearing this adorable onesie. WilloToons is the creative venture of well-known designer, illustrator and music lover Willo O’Brien. (As mentioned above, there is a good chance Willo will have to stop producing her baby line.)

Here are some other great blogs hosting CPSIA giveaways, so stop by and support them too:

If you have a product affected by the CPSIA and you'd like to help by joining our giveaway or you are hosting a CPSIA giveaway on your blog, e-mail me at lois(@)goodiesformom(dot)com to be included.

Visit our Beating the Winter Beauty Blues Gift Pack giveaway too!

Make sure to stop over to the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival for lots more chances to win!!!

491 comments:

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sunnymum said...

Happy Panda has the cutest onesie that says "Mommy Rules my World." I think every mom needs one to remind her how important she is when the baby is super-fussy.

Blake and Laura said...

Great giveaways! So sad to think all these wonderful products won't be here next month.

laurawalker05@gmail.com

Blake and Laura said...

I also blogged about the CPSIA and emailed everyone on my address book.

laurawalker05@gmail.com

Beverly said...

Awesome giveaway and for a good reason.

beverly.stein2@gmail.com

Beverly said...

Awesome giveaway and for a good reason.

beverly.stein2@gmail.com

Heather S said...

At Happy Panda I love the Fabulous Toddler Tee! Too cute!
Great Giveaway!

e-mail: hmahan_0529@yahoo.com

Heather S said...
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Heather S said...
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Heather S said...
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Mommy2aQT said...

Thanks for this giveaway!
savymom21@hotmail.com

Early BIrd said...

I am sorry to hear about this new law :( I like the Tagless Gift Set from Happy Panda. Thank you!

Riannon said...

I would love to win, Thanks!

Riannon said...

I have blogged about this giveaway: http://momonamission2008.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-giveaways.html

sushi_noem said...

Count me in! My mom and I will probably have to close our online shop on Feb 10th:(

Unknown said...

Cute Stuff!

Anonymous said...

i've contacted my legislators and followed up about a week later on this. its horrid.


i love the tie onesies, in argyle. they rock. so adorable i had to put them on my facebook page LOL

Anonymous said...

i think the tagless toddler tee "tornado" was made for my little guy (happy panda)

marlena said...

Such a worthy and needed cause. We all need to pull together on this one!! m_huston(at)hotmail(dot)com

caseykelp said...

i can understand testing toys and such to a higher degree then clothing but this seems to be going to a very high extreme.

Stacey Brown said...

the breast pillow looks great and thanks for the info on a great cause!

Alli said...

I'd love this! Thanks!
ariella at blight dot com

chazvgo said...

Horrible law, Thanks for the giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THIS SITE!!!

Anonymous said...

I like the "Mommy rules my world" t-shirts by Happy Panda.

icefairy said...

I'd love to win these goodies and support the protest. Thanks for the fabulous giveaway!

icefairy said...

Happy Panda favorite: Tagless Bamboo Panda Lap T

icefairy said...

Cushie Pushie favorite: Breastfeeding Infant/Toddler T-Shirt

Anonymous said...

From Cushie pushie I like the pink fleece breat support pillow and the probreastfeeding tote bag for Mom's.

icefairy said...

Babycapes favorite: Babycape in Minky Sherpa Suede-Brown

icefairy said...

Mom 4 Life: Visor Beanie Hats by Born To Love-Custom Argyle

icefairy said...

WilloToons favorite: splash! (embroidered)

Unknown said...

Great giveaway! I didn't see anything for potty training yet and I have a stubborn one could really use the help on. I would get something relative to that

Anonymous said...

From Mom's 4 life I liked the Belly sculpting kit. Since I am expecting my 4th and last child I think I'm, going to order 1. I'll never look this way again!!

Anonymous said...

From willotoons I like the jewerly

Anonymous said...

I want to win this package! Whoot-Whoot!

Thanks for the chance!

teq97(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lisa @ The Plain-Spoken Pen said...

Thanks for the giveaway, and thanks for helping spread the word about the CPSIA. Sounds like a well-intentioned idea gone way too far.

Angela said...

It is so hard to make extra money as a mom already! Why would law makers create additional burdens for us?

yabby said...

I'd like to be entered please.
yabbys_5 at yahoo dot com

Jodi said...

great giveaway - thanks!

yabby said...

from Willo Toons I love the "Nerdling" onsie!
yabbys_5 at yahoo dot com

yabby said...

From Cushie Pushie my favorite item is the breast support pillow although I'd love to receive the gift basket as well.
yabbys_5 at yahoo dot com

yabby said...

From Happy Panda my absolute favorite was the tonado onsie. I also really liked the diaper cakes.
yabbys_5 at yahoo dot com

SweetNuttyNiblets said...

That babycape is the cutest thing, EVER!

doodlegirl said...

I like the baby capes

Deb K said...

Please enter me in this great giveaway!

Veronica said...

Being Seven months pregnant right now, i sure could use a lot of these things. I definitely love the Breast support pillow. Thanks for a great giveaway :)

Anonymous said...

Everything is super cute. I would love to win. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like the Diaper Cake - Happy Panda Fabulous from happy panda. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I love the Breastfeeding Tote Bag from cushie pushie. thanks. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I like the Babycape in Minky Marshmallow in pink with daisies form Babycape. Thanks. angel_2417@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I believe in more testing for lead in products but believe they need to put the law where it is being found, in out of country products, producers, manufacturers, and distributors of the products coming into our country! We need to promote our own countries companies that already do a good job and prevent the hazardous companies from other countries form coming in and damaging our economy further than it already is!jokeyjodi1963@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I think this is such a great thing.

clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

ky2here said...

I really like Happy Panda. The Panda Pants and the matching shirt make a great outfit.

Carolyn said...

Thanks for the Giveaway. I'd love to give this to my new nephew!

Carolyn said...

I love the Baby Capes in Brown Sherpa Suede.

Just8 said...

Baby items keep getting cuter.

kkriefall@yahoo.com

Lindsey said...

What a wonderful giveaway... I'm so sad these shops will have to close down though! :-/

ladyufshalott at yahoo.com

Miranda Ward said...

very nice contest

Tylerpants said...

It's sad that with the economy being the way it is, that small businesses who sell handcrafted items will be hit very hard by this new law.

Tylerpants said...

I like the black tagless panda face Lap T @ Happy Panda.

Tylerpants said...

I like the blue onesie @ Cushie Pushie

Tylerpants said...

I like the Brown Sherpa Suede Babycape @ Babycapes

Tylerpants said...

I like the Special Delivery Stork cushie pushie @ Cushie Pushie

Tylerpants said...

I like the Michael tie onesie @ My HodgePodgerie.

Tylerpants said...

I like the Rock Squirrel onesie @ Willotoons.

Unknown said...

it all looks great but I like the cape outer wear, its so cute

Cari K. said...

there are some really cute items. Sign me up.

charlies_secret_angel2006 at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Baby capes:
Pink Babycape in Minky Sherpa Suede

luckydolls123[at]verizon[dot]net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me! I'd love to win!

Unknown said...

This is a great way to promote awareness of how our government is using a chainsaw when a scalpel will do. Thanks!

Xenia said...

What a great giveaway, thanks!

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

My favorite Happy Panda item is the Tagless Infant Gift Set PF in pink, I'd love it for my little girl!

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

My favorite from Cushie Pushie is the Breastfeeding Infant Bodysuit in pink, followed by the Breastfeeding Bib. Cute!

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

The Pink Sherpa Suede is my favorite from Babycapes. I'm clearly on a pink kick ever since my second daughter was born 6 weeks ago!

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

The Pink Polka Dots is my favorite print of Cushie Pushie Breast Support Pillow.

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

The Tie Onesies at Mom 4 Life are adorable, I'd love one for my nephew who is due in April! My favorite is the Preppy Argyle pattern.

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Xenia said...

The splash! (embroidered) onesie from WilloToons, although they're all really cute!

xpsundell(at)gmail(dot)com

Erin said...

I love the Minky Sherpa Suede Babycape in Blue---thanks for the giveaway and for raising awareness about CPSIA.

emhagedon at gmail

Andrina said...

Thanks for the information.

llinda29 said...

great ideas

Bakersdozen said...

I love the giveaway, but I am so sorry about this stupid law. Obviously, something had to be done about lead in toys. But, this law is far too sweeping. I am thinking about handmade items that have been given to me for my family by members of my church. Is the government going to stop them also. I have bookmared many of this sites in this giveaway because I so love handmade products. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

I love the blue sherpa cape from babycapes. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Bakersdozen said...

From My HodgePodgerie, I love the Trendy Stripe onesie. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

fancyfeet48 said...

I like your blog. Thanks for the chance to win.

leah said...

It's such a shame that the government doesn't realize how many businesses this will affect.

leah said...

From Happy Panda, the white tagless Bamboo Panda Lap T would be perfect for my little nephew.

leah said...

From Cushie Pushie: The blue Breastfeeding infant bodysuit

leah said...

The Blue Sherpa suede babycape is way cute!

leah said...

How sweet is the Tree Organic Baby Onesie by Tomat from Mom4Life.

leah said...

The 'eat. sleep. rock. repeat.' onesie from Willotoons ROCKS!

Rockin' Mama said...

Wow...I had no idea this was happening. I hope it doesn't go into effect

jasonncaryn at yahoo dot com

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