To highlight the challenges facing the children's industry under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), Amend The CPSIA is organizing a rally to be held today in Washington, D.C.

By Marianne Bhonslay, April 2, 2009

In an effort to effect legislative change with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) passed last August, a startup organization entitled Amend The CPSIA is organizing a rally to be held today in Washington, D.C.

According to Rick Woldenberg, chairman of Learning Resources, Inc., who launched the Amend The CPSIA web site about two weeks ago, a "blue chip group" of nearly 25 industry organizations has confirmed its participation in the rally, set for 10 a.m. at the Capital Visitor's Center. Those organizations include the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), the Toy Industry Association, the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association, the Alliance for Children's Product Safety and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

Woldenberg, who prefers advocacy to legal action at this juncture, says Amend The CPSIA has invited all 535 members of the U.S. Congress, their legislative aids, and over 100 media members. As of this past Friday, speakers will include five U.S. Representatives, one Governor and NAM President John Engler. Two scientists are also on the agenda to speak.

"Since the (CPSIA) was signed into law there have been no hearings," says Woldenberg, adding that he therefore decided to create a children's industry forum - this rally - to "get on the record" with objections, scientific information pertaining to safety, and potential revisions. "The rally will create a body of information. There are a lot of things with this law that need to be explored. The number one (objective of the rally) is to stay the enforcement of the law across the board at least one year."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a stay of some ­- although not all - aspects of the law until February 2010.

"We would like a stay as long as possible to facilitate a series of hearings (discussing) how this law can be fixed," adds Woldenberg, who has worked at his family-founded business Learning Resources since 1990. "We want to come up with legislation (based on) science and reasonable assurances for people that they can buy safe products without snuffing out products (and children's companies). We need time and we need process."