CPSIA TROUBLE in VERMONT TOYLAND Fox44 12-23-08

Wooden toymaker Mike Rainville, owner of Middlebury-based Maple Landmark Woodcraft, had his best year yet in 2008. But will the new regulations for lead testing imposed by the CPSIA 2008 hurt his successful business?

Video from Fox44 Burlington, Vermont- December 23, 2008
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New Regulations Trouble Local Toymakers

Posted: Dec 23, 2008 09:33 PM

Updated: Dec 23, 2008 09:38 PM

Toy safety regulations passed by Congress in August could pose a threat to small toy manufacturers in Vermont and across the country, local toymakers said Tuesday.

The law, called the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, requires mechanical and chemical testing of all toys, many of which must be tested on an annual basis.

"It's expensive; it's time consuming. And we're still all trying to sort it out because it's all so new," said Mike Rainville, owner of Middlebury-based Maple Landmark Woodcraft.

Rainville said he hasn't figured out the dollar-for-dollar impact on his bottom line yet, because required testing doesn't completely take effect until February 2009. However, he estimated it would cost several hundred dollars to test one toy. Maple Landmark Woodcraft has nearly 900 different toy models.

"It's a lot of money to come up with," Rainville said. "It's gonna impact some smaller companies far worse than it will impact us. And the big companies that were the problem in the first place aren't really gonna see much impact at all in their costs."

Additionally, Rainville said larger manufacturers that import toys also test their toys overseas. That means testing is cheaper for them, another competitive advantage, he said.

Still, Rainville said his company, which had its best year in 2008 in its 29-year history, should make it through alright, even if he must raise prices.



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[achivemore]

There should be testing at the manufacturer!!!! Not the middleman. WTF