JPMA Requests CPSIA Clarification from CPSC

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), a body representing 95 percent of the prenatal to preschool products industry, issued a statement last week requesting that the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) clarify its new testing and certification requirements under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to ensure inherently safe products that do not expose children to established health risks are not indiscriminately removed from store shelves.

“JPMA is fully prepared to help our members comply with implementation requirements that are practical and justifiable,” said Michael Dwyer, executive director of JPMA. “But the federal requirements must be implemented in an effective and efficient manner or risk chaos in the marketplace and the loss of many safe products.”

On Feb. 10, the CPSIA’s first deadline regarding manufacturers’ adherence to new lead and phthalate levels went into effect. However, many companies have expressed confusion over the requirements and distress that mandated testing will further inhibit their business in what is already a difficult economic time. While the CPSC granted a stay postponing the testing and certification deadline, the JPMA asked for more information regarding compliance.

“JPMA has joined with representatives of a broad range of industries to argue that the arbitrary enforcement date put in the CPSIA should be changed because the very information needed for industry to comply with the Act’s requirements will not be available until after the deadline,” the statement reads. “CPSC’s interpretation of the CPSIA also requires that products already in inventory be compliant with the new standard for lead or they cannot be sold. Billions of dollars worth of inventory that may meet CPSIA requirements might have to be removed from shelves and placed in warehouses until the CPSC clarifies how the testing shall be conducted; only then can the tests be completed and the product back into commerce.”

JPMA is urging interim action as soon as possible so that industry has time to gear up to meet any new requirements imposed to demonstrate compliance.

In This Issue: Tween fashion—what’s in and what’s out The increasing importance of margins in a slow economy WearCanada industry directory Plus: Sleepwear trends and new-mom gifts Coming Next Month: The industry talks added value Euro fashion direction from the Pitti Bimbo show The Little Steps footwear magazine—shoe trends, sales tips and up-sell items Plus: Diaper bags, hosiery and fun gift packaging

Visit C.A.R.A. at KIDShow Stop by the C.A.R.A. booth at KIDShow at Bally’s today at 5 p.m. for the opening night reception. Then, join us for our retail math seminar tomorrow morning, starting at 8 a.m. The seminar will be conducted by Roni Miller Start, the department chair of apparel manufacturing management and special programs at The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, and Gary Wright, founder of G.A. Wright Sales, a sales promotion consultancy and former president of a retail sporting goods company. For more details, visit Caratoday.com/events.