Who will be affected?
1.If you are a small or home-based business that manufactures apparel or other textile products for children under 12 years of age, this legislation impacts you, or
2. Whether you sell your products wholesale or directly to the consumer through eBay, Etsy, or your own web site, this legislation impacts you.

Whether the law impacts you directly or not, I encourage you read about it and see if you would like to sign the petition to help crafters continue to sell their crafts.
 

You can sign a petition to the Consumer Products Safety Commission to ask for the law to be modified appropriately.  There are links below to sign the petition and contact your state representatives and legislatures.

Here is the original email I received:
 
Dear Subscribers, there is a new law coming that you should be aware of if you make items for children. One of my subscribers brought it to my attention and was kind enough to research and summarize the law for you.
 
As with any piece of information like this, you should read about it and make your own decisions. I am not able to answer your questions on the topic, but am merely forwarding this article from a subscriber who has done some research and was kind enough to summarize it and share it with you.
 
Here is what she wrote:
 
(H.R. 4040)(Sections 101, 102, 103)
 
For those who do not know the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008) it is an act designed to protect our children from unsafe toys, aka., lead at excessive levels, and this is a noble cause.
 
HOWEVER, this act requires that ANY item designed, marketed to, intended for use by or looks like it could have been designed FOR any child under the age of 12 must be tested. Prices on many different websites are ranging from $100 to $4000 each to have one item tested.
 
THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYONE!
 
If you make 10 different styles of one bib or 10 different styles in 3 sizes you will have to have all of these tested even though you are using the same fabric, thread, etc. If you make a new batch of items you will have to have them tested also.
 
Hundreds and maybe thousands of crafters are going to be out of business across our country if Congress does not add an amendment to this bill. Please contact your Congressman and Representative immediately and let them know how you feel about this law. This law takes effect on February 10, 2009 (National Bankruptcy Day)
 
This is an excerpt from the bill that defines all crafters:
 
So no, like it or hate it, unless your usual business is making custom products to order for an individual, you are a manufacturer. This is a legal definition; it’s not something one gets to decide for themselves. If customers can buy ready made products from you, you are a manufacturer even if you’ve only made one of that particular item.
 
—>  To view the bill: click here 
 
—>  This website is a very good one and really explains the whole bill in layman terms. I hope that each of you read and study this and that we as crafters, shoppers, moms, grandparents and any other person who make an impression on children’s lives can get this bill amended.
  
—>  You can sign the petition at:  National Bankruptcy Day 

 
—>  You can send your elected officials letters from this site and sign the petition: click here