Possible CPSIA Exemptions!

Yes, Christmas came a day early here when I saw this link:

Click to access leadlimits.pdf

This is a link to a ballot that is currently before the Commission (due by January 5th) that lists the folling as excluded:

• Precious Gemstones: Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald
• Certain semiprecious gemstones, defined as any of many minerals and other materials commonly used to make jewelry and other adornments
  • Provided that the mineral or material is not based on lead or lead compounds and is not associated in nature with any mineral that is based on lead or lead compounds; minerals that contain lead or are associated in nature with minerals that contain lead include, but are not limited to, the following: Aragonite, Bayldonite, Boleite, Cerussite, Crocoite, Linarite, Mimetite, Phosgenite, Vandinite, and Wulfenite
• Natural or cultured Pearls
• Wood
• Natural fibers, including cotton, silk, wool, hemp, flax, and linen
• Other natural materials including coral, amber, feathers, fur, and untreated leather

Now obviously, I am thrilled over this and plan on having a nice celebration should it actually pass. The problem with it for othersd, however, is that these exemptions are pre-empted with this statement:

[This exemption only applies] to a material that is untreated and unadulterated by the addition of materials or chemicals including pigments, dyes, coatings, finishes or any other substance, and has not undergone any processing that could result in lead content that exceeds CPSIA lead limits.

So while I have always stuck to my guns on keeping my child-oriented toys completely unfinished, there are others who use food grade and child safe finishes. Additionally, while it is great they are considering to exempt those natural fibers, nobody wants to play or use colorless items. There needs to be a way to a way for “the little guy” the use dyes and pigments in their fabric that is both safe and affordable.

And if they determined food grade finishes were safe, too…well, that would be pretty nice of them 🙂