First, kudos to Houston's ABC affiliate (KTRK). They interviewed a local crafter who runs a kids' clothing boutique that will close down on February 10, and she walked through all of the elements that will have to be tested on individual handmade garments to be in compliance with the law - upwards of ten different parts of a single garment, of which there are dozens if not hundreds in her shop. I spoke to her on the phone an hour ago and she noted that the documentation alone would make running a shop like hers impossible. She is among the many (us included) who find it ridiculous that individual elements - thread, elastic, fabrics - must each be tested in each end product, not because they might be unsafe individually (for then crafters could simply purchase materials that had already been certified) but because they might form a harmful substance, or rise above prohibited levels, only in combination. This is not real-world legislation. Here's her blog - if you're a crafter making children's products in the Houston or Austin area, you should get in touch with her.

Second, outgoing CPSC Public Affairs Director Julie Vallese held a pretty odd sit-down with Baltimore's NBC affiliate, WBAL in which she managed to say with a relatively straight face that the nation's thrift store and consignment shop owners had no obligation to test products, but that they should make "a business decision" and have "confidence" that the products they are selling meet the new laws, because if they are caught selling ones that aren't, they get a big fat fine (last I heard was $100,000, but she didn't say). I can only think of one "business decision" to make under such a business arrangement. Thanks to SaveKidsResale alerting us to this arresting, if maddening, interview. Heckuva job managing public information on that CPSIA bit, Julie. Heckuva job.

Read more about this issue in our predictions for the CPSIA's effect on the children's product industry.