http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/37173084.html
Law Requires Lead Testing For Children's Clothing
Could impact secondhand stores, garage sales
in a tough economy, many consumers turn to secondhand stores, but soon the selection may be limited. A law passed by Congress calls for all products for children under 12 to be tested for lead. Items not tested will be considered hazardous.
It takes effect February 10th and parents are concerned.
They sell used kid stuff at Bigwheels 2 Butterflies in Papillion, including children?s clothes. Sherri Wheeler is the owner and has heard about the new law and says it won?t be good for her business.
?Oh, we'd close our doors. Our average item sells for $2.50 so I don?t know how in the world we would be able to test every item that comes in, especially when we take in an average of 1,000 to 1,500 items on a bidding day."
Sherri says she hasn?t been contacted by any agency, state or federal, on what to do or how to do it when the law goes into effect.
Evelyn Meier is one of Sherri?s customers and buys a lot of toys and clothes for her grandchildren. "I don?t understand the government getting involved in everybody?s small business."
There are some parents who have heard about the law and think it?s silly. ?I'm not gonna follow the law,? says mother of three Nancy Grice. ?I'll probably continue to at least buy if I can find them."
She buys and sells a lot of children?s clothing. The new law could make Nancy and a lot of other parents outlaws.
"I'm not gonna change my ways. I don?t know how they're going to police this with every garage sale, every yard sale. I understand the reason, but they're such far-reaching consequences, you wont even be able to donate clothes and that?s gonna be catastrophic to some people."
Both Nancy and consignment shop owners agree, the government is making a big deal out of some little clothes.
Local and state agencies Channel 6 News contacted Tuesday had little information on the federal law.
New law may affect used clothes stores and Garage SALES!
