The children’s book industry continues to intensify its efforts to push for an exemption from the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. The Act, which goes into effect February 10, requires all products for children 12 and under—including books—to be tested for lead, as noted in Publishers Weekly’s recent detailed coverage of the CPSIA and its implications.
The Association of American Publishers is taking the lead in formal lobbying, but other groups are playing an increasing role. The Children’s Book Council, for example, is developing talking points and scripts that publishers can circulate to help employees petition their Senate and House representatives. “There’s been a real flurry of activity in the last couple of weeks,” says Robin Adelson, CBC’s executive director. “People are making phone calls and people are sending e-mails. They’re heeding the call to action.”
No exception for books
There should be no exception for children’s books. A great deal of printing takes place in China. A friend of a friend of mine runs a company that sends print jobs to China to have books printed there. We all now the Chinese record on lead and it is not good. New children’s books should be certified like all other children’s products. If the rubber duck makers can handle testing their products so can the printing industry.
Common sense is needed!
Yes, children should be protected, but no book has ever been found to contain lead, except for books that have toys attached. CPSIA is well-meant but completely irresponsible and frightening in it’s sweeping implications. How can any library test all of their children’s books? No library could afford these expensive tests or the time it would take to get the testing done. Let’s be reasonable!
Reasonable? Congress?
Are you being sarcastic? Traditional practice is for Congress to be vague and for regulatory agencies to clarify by regulation. Unfortunately, the CPSC is going with strict interpretation.
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Stephen Michael Kellat, Host, LISTen
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