The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) welcomed action by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to extend the stay on the testing and certification requirements for lead content as set forth in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008. The stay, extended by a four to one vote of the CPSC commissioners, continues to be in force until December 31, 2011. It does not affect the underlying lead standard, which is already in force.
“The announcement to extend temporarily the stay of testing and certification for lead content provides some relief for many in the U.S. apparel and footwear industry,” said AAFA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.
“We will use this window of opportunity to continue working diligently with the CPSC and congressional stakeholders and seek out commonsense and risk-based reforms to this well-intended but flawed legislation. We are pleased that the Commissioners voted to extend the stay beyond the CPSC staff recommendation. However, we remain concerned that this period of time may not provide the CPSC with enough time to complete pending rule makings or for the industry to learn and incorporate those new rules.”
Since the CPSIA took effect, the U.S. apparel and footwear industry has spent millions of dollars proving that their already safe products are compliant under the new product safety law. In August, the lead standards are set to be reduced to their lowest levels (100ppm). However, it remains to be seen if that limit is even feasible. Among other things, that limit will be implemented in a retroactive manner. Previous retroactively applied standards created havoc in the industry.
“I applaud the Commissioners for their vote to extend this important stay,” Burke said. “While this stay is temporary, it provides our industry with some breathing room as we continue to deliver safe products to the marketplace.”
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) is the national trade association representing apparel, footwear and other sewn products companies, and their suppliers, which compete in the global market. AAFA's mission is to promote and enhance its members' competitiveness, productivity and profitability in the global market by minimizing regulatory, commercial, political, and trade restraints.
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
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