The big news today is
the push back of the February 2010 deadline. Many manufacturers are breathing a sigh of relief and preparing for yet another deadline while more decisions are being made. While this might bring about more of the holiday spirit it also brings further frustration. We have tried to remain positive and have taken steps to comply but it is difficult to run a small business with so many unanswered questions.
Our line in particular has been tested with the XRF. We have held off adding anything new to our product line as we wait to see what cpsia does next. We have lowered our prices in order to reduce our inventory even further. In the screen printing industry there are still a flurry of unanswered questions. We have been in contact via email with Marci Kinter, SGIA.
1.) Why can’t screen printers use msds sheets to show the lead content? I’ve been told that they can’t because the limits are different than what the cpsia is requiring. It would make sense that the ink suppliers get on board and help the situation.
2.) If I contract a print job to a screen printer to print my graphics on infant apparel who becomes responsible for the testing? Would the screen printer be responsible for testing it before selling it? Would we be required to test it yet again before we distribute the product?
Still many questions are left unanswered. If you have listened to some of the audio for the meetings that have been held there are many manufacturers that are asking the tough questions! The bigger manufacturers are having the same issues as the smaller manufacturers. Every company would like to comply but please, give us a cost effective way to comply. Help us implement a system that makes sense! We watched many companies close their doors a year ago. There have been even more closing this year and yet again we have another stay. We remain hopeful that we can continue to thrive and do what we love to do best, dress babies!
