Every time someone asks me, either online or offline, about the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) I think to myself “I got the Motts” and start citing all of the great people who are covering the topic in an effort to get this law changed.
Why, you may be asking yourself, do I channel a 1980’s commercial when thinking about the issue that has become the bane of my existence? It’s not because I’m cataloging all of the toys in the commercial that would be banned b/c of CPSIA but instead because I feel that I have the goods that people need.
I have been fascinated to watch as different voices emerge in this plight. How people’s passions are serving to inform and educate about CPSIA as well as rail against it.
The following people are those who will never fail you in providing CPSIA-related information. I have categorized them by their main focus.
CPSIA & Clothing Manufacturers
Kathleen Fasanella (@kfasanella) provides valuable insights on her site Fashion Incubator and on Twitter. She understands the intricacies of the law as it relates to products and product manufacturing as well as providing feedback on sound business practices in the face of this law. She will always tell it like it is, even in the face of a nasty-gram from a Illinois Representative.
CPSIA & the Law
Jennifer Taggart (aka @thesmartmama) is an environmental attorney specializing in consumer product but we know her best as an XRF gun-toting woman on a mission. She not only tests products to provide companies with their GCCs but ensures that we keep the facts straight regarding CPSIA on Twitter and on her blog.
Walter Olson (@walterolson) writes about CPSIA on his blog Overlawyered often using the lens of the legal system. He diligently chronicles the effects of CPSIA on a variety of industries and provides extremely thorough round-up posts about news from around the web. His writing style provides an easy read on a difficult topic and you’ll always walk away much more informed than when you arrived.
CPSIA & Libraries/Books
Deputy Headmistress (@DHMrs) is passionate about books and blogs about specific aspects of CPSIA as well as how the law impacts books. Her posts are factual and thorough. Have a pad handy to take notes while you’re reading because she takes the time to get to the hard-to-find information that you’ll want for future reference.
Esther (@melanes) is a part-time librarian who speaks about CPSIA from first-hand experience. Her blog Design Loft includes posts that are library-specific and provides real world examples of CPSIA and a small, local library. She is also an advocate in her community and, should you need it, can share her experiences to help you in your endeavors.
CPSIA & the Numbers
Wacky Hermit (@curiouswork) is a booty-making mathematician whose blog challenges the efficacy of the CPSIA through a detailed look at the numbers that should have been used to verify its approach in the first place. If you’re looking for the facts with a heavy dose of sass, then you’ve found the right person.
CPSIA, Small Businesses, & Community
Rick Woldenberg (@rwoldenberg) is the Chairman of Learning Resources, Inc. and has actively been lobbying to change the law. He has been invited three times to speak in front of Congress but has yet to make the trip. His CPSIA blog is a mixture of updates and insightful commentary. While Learning Resources may be larger than the majority of our companies, he makes no distinction: we’re in this fight together and he wants everyone to benefit from his actions.
Mark Riffey (@MarkRiffey) advocates for CPSIA reform while also providing strategic advice to small businesses in this difficult time. Where Walter Olson often looks at CPSIA with a legal eye, Mark Riffey’s blog takes it on from a business angle.
Olivia created a whole new Twitter ID (@CPSIACheer) and blog in order to encourage and educate people about this law and how we can fight it together. The chronicle of her experiences is sound advice (templates and other such wonderful stuff) coupled with ongoing optimism.
Marianne is the owner of Polkadot Patch Boutique (@polkadotpatch) and brings her online retailer insights into the mix by talking about how CPSIA is affecting small retailers dependent on the unique products that are mostly made by the small companies threatened by CPSIA. Her blog provides information about how businesses need to be proactive in the face of this law while also reminding us how this affect each of us personally.
Tristan (@CitizenTweet) advocates for CPSIA on her blog by writing speeches that should have been the very words of our politicians. She is passionate about keeping our children safe and creating a world that can sustain generations to come. If you are looking for a post that will remind you the importance of this cause, her blog will inspire you on those days where it all seems too much.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
What an awesome round up of CPSIA related resources. I love being described as the XRF gun toting woman of the CPSIA wild west.
Jennifer
I’m flattered to be included on this list! Thank you!
Thank you for the inclusion in your list. I am honored to work along side you in this fight!
Wow – I am most appreciative of your kind endorsement. I’m starting to think of running for something, I swear! I’m just wondering if it will be the for HILLS or some office ‘er other ; -) Seriously, we need to cut the CARP and get down to the brass tacks because this nation has TOO many problems and not enough clear-thinking problem-solvers to waste time in debate or division. WE need to conquer our problems with COMMON SENSE solutions and not wait for our leaders to dictate to US, these measures that only create more problems in an attempt to fix just one.
If We the people don’t realize our power and take charge, swiftly insisting on better demonstrations of REAL leadership by our “public servants” (listening to us, responding to OUR interests – not special interests, actually READING laws before rushing them through the approval process, etc.), I DO BELIEVE we will, just as swiftly ,find ourselves in an atmosphere most conducive to causing America to split at the seams.
This really IS the crisis of Whoville. I can think of no worse time in our nation’s economic history, for we the people to allow for a ripple effect of bad decisions by our legislators (and their egos) to pick up any more speed than it already has. Because, let’s face it – the closer we get to the drain, the faster we circle it and the harder it will be to pull ourselves out of the way of impending disaster. Our political correctness will not save us. Our heads in the sand will not save us. Only our BRUTAL HONESTY has the potential to serve our most vital interests – OUR chidren. It’s time to get real – it’s time for solidarity and the power of the people.
Finally, I just have to add – yesterday, I had the sad thought that we Americans move more quickly to pack duffle bags and send our sons and daughters off to war to fight for the freedom we STILL possess in this great country than we do to perform our own duties as citizens – to read up on these laws moving through Congress in absolute liquid fashion – than we do to pick up our telephones and tell OUR public servants what we want them to do, on behalf of OUR children. I hope, by all of the efforts of those listed above and others not listed, there WILL come a tipping point that turns this sad thought on its proverbial head. I pray MORE OF US will stop for even a few minutes to ASK QUESTIONS about CPSIA – to READ and LEARN the FACTS – and to PICK UP our telephones, even for ten minutes. It’s time for us to be brave and serve our country as the REAL leaders of America, OUR country.
Whimsical Walney – I THANK YOU for inspiring a few of my writings (so noted on my blog). We do think along some similar lines – funny enough, while I’ve purposly kept my blog from any “advertising,” with the issue of CPSIA, I’ve actually been thinking of posting logo links to you and others I support, who have supported this effort, each in their own way. Anyone else you know of who is writing blog posts against CPSIA, please feel free to contact me and I’ll get their links up on my blog, as well. The more connected we all are – the more we circle our wagons – the greater our power against those that may seek to divide and conquer. I’m not sure how quickly I can get to it, but I will get to it! Because this is an important enough concern to warrant breaking from my ‘non-commercial’ commitment on my blog.
Thanks again – this post is a real stitch-in-time effort of great service to those wanting to learn the FACTS about this well-intended and VERY poorly written law.
Warmest Regards,
Tristan Benz
Maiden America
Dana,
You are awesome! Thanks so much for the shout out. I have been so overwhelmed lately and the cheer in me started to dwindle. I shall return soon with even more pep and cheer to go around. Thanks again for all you do!
Great list, if I did one, I think it’d be the same. Thanks for saving me some work, I can just link to this for the best.
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