Dear Patrons:

Thank you for your continuing support of AGAIN! AGAIN! and the resale industry in its quest to improve and comply with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which went into law on 2/10/09. There has been some headway and attempts by the government and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to work with affected industries, as you may have heard in the media, but the issue is FAR from resolved.

On January 30, 2009 the CPSC granted a one year stay of third-party testing and certification requirements for manufacturers of certain products. The stay does not apply to the following: a) lead in paint and other surface coatings effective for products made after 12/21/08, b) standards for full and non-full size cribs and pacifiers effective for products made after 1/20/09, c) the small parts ban effective for products made after 10/15/09 and d) the limits on lead content of metal components of children’s jewelry effective for products made after 3/23/09. All manufacturers are also required to continue to comply with previous lead and other safety standards already in existence.

I know this sounds like a one year reprieve, but not for resellers. The stay does not affect businesses who sell items for children. We are still expected, with due diligence, to comply with the CPSIA law and not sell items with more than 600 ppm lead or 1000 ppm of phthalates (chemical used in plastic to make it more malleable). If caught selling these items we will be prosecuted. The question that resellers and the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops (NARTS) are now asking is: HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT IS COMPLIANT?

To this end the CPSC issued what they contend is a detailed set of guidelines by which resellers should take in items for sale. To read the brochure for yourself go to www.cpsc.gov and scroll down to the ‘What’s Hot’ box.  Then click on ‘CPSIA Guidance for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters & Charities’. I have also posted it below. In essence, the guidelines tell resellers to use their best judgment in accepting items, stay current on recalls and contact manufacturers.

Ok, so what does it all mean?! First, I want to personally assure all of my clients that your family’s safety has always been of the utmost importance at AGAIN! AGAIN!  Many of the guidelines set forth by the CPSC have been standard practice since we opened. And while some resellers have chosen to discontinue selling toys and baby accessories because of the labor, liability and criminal ramifications, AGAIN! AGAIN! would like to continue selling these items with your confidence in our commitment to your children. And, in order to put in this extra effort we will need our consignor’s help. Please go through your items at home for missing pieces, stains, etc.  Homemade, older or lesser known manufactured items will no longer be accepted. The more you do on your end the more expedient we can be in getting your items out on the floor.

And what does the future hold? Well, in one year we will be exactly where we all were a week ago. As information comes to me I promise to keep you apprised.

As always,

Marnie-Ann Balaski

AGAIN! AGAIN! kids’ consignment

Exerpt from CPSC brochure posted 2/10/09;

Table C: Commonly Resold Children’s Products and Materials