WASHINGTON — Librarians, clothing-makers, craft sellers and thrift-store owners received a reprieve Friday from federal regulators who moved to clear confusion over a new product-safety law.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued what amounts to temporary exemptions to a new anti-lead rule taking effect Tuesday.
The CPSC had previously delayed until next year the lead testing required as part of the law, adding to confusion over how the new standard would be enforced.
Under the new guidelines, people who sell or make children’s products that usually don’t have high levels of lead — such as certain kids’ clothing and crafts made of natural woods — are among those getting an exemption. Libraries would also get some relief.
Thrift stores, clothing-makers and others complained that the law was overly broad and could cause some to go out of business. Libraries suggested they might have to ban children to keep them away from books that were perfectly safe.
Specifically, the enforcement policy issued by the CPSC temporarily exempts materials with lead content that consistently fall well below the new standard taking effect Tuesday. That standard mandates kids’ products may contain lead at a level of no more than 600 parts per million.
The agency plans further study before issuing permanent exemptions. The CPSC said people who knowingly sell, manufacture or distribute children’s products with excessive levels of lead will not be exempt. Those who have been warned before by the CPSC about their products could be prosecuted.
The new lead limit was passed overwhelmingly by Congress last summer as part of a bigger product-safety law. It applies to products made for children 12 and under. Toys and other kids’ products that contain certain chemicals, called phthalates, over 1,000 parts per million also would be banned.
Businesses, especially small businesses, complained that the law could cause significant financial losses or store closings because of costly product testing required in the law.
Lead poisoning can cause irreversible learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Phthalates have been linked to reproductive defects and other health problems.
