Will New Laws Bring Toy Manufacturing Back to the United States?

With the recent closing of thousands of toy factories in China, many people are wondering if American toy manufacturers will get a much needed boost in the upcoming year. Many Americans support U.Ss toy companies and believe that recent items like lead paint issues, toy recalls, and other scares will greatly benefit our own toy industry. And it seems to make sense that the American companies that have been constantly producing safe and durable toys would get a little of the business that companies like Mattel lost. Many Americans support US toy companies and believe that these issues will greatly benefit our own toy industry. But things are not always as they seem!

The New Standards

After the mass recall of toys in 2007, the Government decided to crack down on toy manufacturers with the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) in August of 2008. As a whole, it really does go a long way in protecting young children. The CPSIA basically states that hazardous materials such as Lead and Phthalates are banned in toys, all toys must have third party testing, and all toy-makers must permanently label each toy with a date and batch number. Now this is great for big toy manufacturers because they can easily follow the new standards and our kids will be getting safer toys. But the problem with the CPSIA is what it overlooks: Small business American Toy-makers.

The Issue

Because the CPSIA does not go into specifics, as of February, all toy-makers will have to go through these procedures. Of course, this seems fair at first glance, but the question is should these new laws apply to many American toy manufacturers? Many US toy-makers are using products that are naturally lead free such as wood, cotton and dyes made from vegetables. It doesn't make sense to test these products for lead if they have already been proven safe, but American toy companies will have to do just that, and it is not cheap to say the least. The Handmade Toy Alliance reports that "a toy-maker... who makes wooden cars in his garage in Maine to supplement his income cannot afford the $4,000 fee per toy that testing labs are charging to assure compliance with the CPSIA."

Simply put, small companies cannot afford to pay for the quality control issues of larger manufacturers. American toy-makers who still manufacture in the US were not the cause of this problem. As a whole hand made toys have a higher standard of quality and using safer materials. But because the new act does not make an exception for these companies, it is likely that the new act will hurt them much more than help them raise their safety standards.

The Solution

In the end, it was large businesses that made the mistake and it should be those same businesses that have to pay for it. I am absolutely committed to safety of our children, but why punish companies that have been keeping that in mind all along. "The same regulations apply to a toy maker making toys by the dozens as Mattel making toys by the hundreds of thousands.” laments Dan Marshall, the founder of the Handmade Toy Alliance. As of now the Hand Made toy Alliance has petitioned to have an exception made for toys that are made with naturally lead free products but the CSPSC still has until February to decide. This alliance wishes to focus the restrictions on the manufacturers that truly need them.

How can you help?

If you would like to help protect American manufactures there are some easy steps you can take. Start by visiting the Handmade Toy Alliance website for more information about what they are proposing. Once you have the information you want, you can write to your local lawmakers and senators asking them to adjust the specifics of the CSPIA. You can find a sample letter at www.handmadetoyalliance.org or feel free to write your own. This alliance also has a petition that you can sign to let your voice be heard. Safety is absolutely important, so let's reward the companies that have put it first.