Lead Testing Deadline Delayed


SeattlePI:

Carol Lavinthal, who sews children’s clothes in her home, faced an unhappy choice. She could spend thousands of dollars to comply with a sweeping new federal law — or she could become an outlaw.

She was braced for a Feb. 10 law that would have required her Just Kidd’n business to stringently test for toxic substances every one of the handmade dresses, pants, overalls and reversible caps it sells. Then it would have to certify and permanently label each item.

“This could literally put an end to my business,” said Lavinthal, 52.

But she and other small-business owners who make children’s products got a reprieve late Friday.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission voted 2-0 to push back by one year the deadline for manufacturers to begin testing for lead and other harmful substances before their products hit the market.

The deadline was set when Congress last summer imposed the toughest lead standards in the world in passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The measure bans lead beyond minute levels in products for children 12 or younger.

Photo by Just Kidd’n.

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