The Federal Government is so.... NICE!

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-thrift2-2009jan02,0,2083247.story

Barring a reprieve, regulations set to take effect next month could force thousands of clothing retailers and thrift stores to throw away trunkloads of children's clothing.The law, aimed at keeping lead-filled merchandise away from children, mandates that all products sold for those age 12 and younger -- including clothing -- be tested for lead and phthalates, which are chemicals used to make plastics more pliable. Those that haven't been tested will be considered hazardous, regardless of whether they actually contain lead!
Clothing and thrift trade groups say the law is flawed because it went through Congress too quickly. By deeming that any product not tested for lead content by Feb. 10 be considered hazardous waste, they contend, stores will have to tell customers that clothing they were allowed to sell Feb. 9 became banned overnight.These groups say the law should be changed so that it applies to products made after Feb. 10, not sold after that date.That would take action by Congress, however, because the Consumer Product Safety Commission's general counsel has already determined that the law applies retroactively, said commission spokesman Scott Wolfson.The regulations also apply to new clothing. That won't be a problem for large manufacturers and retailers, industry experts say, but it will be a headache for small operators such as Molly Orr, owner of Molly O Designs in Las Vegas

CONTACT your CONGRESS MAN/WOMAN TODAY!!!!!!!!


Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R- TX)
202-224-5922
202-224-0776
http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator John Cornyn (R- TX)
202-224-2934
202-228-2856
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm

Representative Chet Edwards (D - 17)
202-225-6105
202-225-0350
http://edwards.house.gov/html/contact_form_email.cfm

My letter said:
I have read several articles outlining the upcoming February mandate concerning the resale and testing of childrens clothing. I understand the need to try and keep children safe but I think maybe we might be cutting our nose off to spite our face here. Testing on ALL clothing, even the natural fibers do not make sense. Testing on clothing made within the US that already follow the strict and expensive mandates set forth by the Feds is not necessary. We should only test clothing from foriegn distributors. Maybe we should think about this one again, preferrably before February 9th.