Tag-Archive for » cpsia «

February 17th, 2009 | Author: Pencil Bugs

Just because the legislators extended the deadline for mandatory testing on all children’s products, doesn’t mean things.   The very day I was having my Pencil Bugs tested,  the lawmakers who wrote the CPSIA were moving the deadline out another year.   At first I thought, “wow! what timing!”  But then I was glad I went ahead and had them tested because at least I knew I was able to keep selling them.

But the CPSIA is still legal mumbo jumbo.   I read the revisions they made when they pushed the deadline to next year and it still didn’t make any sense.  I know it’s not just because I’m only 13 years old because I hear there are a lot of adults that don’t get it either.   In my opinion, the biggest reason they extended the deadline was because they realized they made a mistake but didn’t know how to fix it in time.    It’s just like in school when teachers change the rules because it fits them.  Forget about what’s best for the kids. more…

January 31st, 2009 | Author: Pencil Bugs

People always say “miracles can happen” but that is mainly for the purpose of trying to make others feel better.  But when a miracle really happens, it is an extraordinary feeling. 

Yesterday, Jan. 30, my mom and I were planning to send my products to a lady who was going to test them for lead content.  All of this is from that unfortunate law that was made called the CPSIA.  It requires that all products for kids 12 and under must be tested for lead content.  And by everything, I mean everything; from clothes and toys to books and games.  That meant it included Pencil Bugs too.

So as I was saying, we were about to put the Pencil Bugs in the mail when my mom found a company, Gray Environmental, who had the machine to test items for lead.  We contacted them and since they were within driving distance, they said we could come right away.  They even invited us to stay and watch while they did the test which was very exciting.

The little lead testing device was so cool but much smaller than I expected.  The technician took each part and smashed it down to as flat as she could and then put the sensor on it for a minute or so until the reading came up.  After each part was tested, she recorded the numbers on a calibration sheet and told us the results.  We cheered each time.  After about an hour, Pencil Bugs passed the CPSIA testing and they didn’t even have to study.

That night when we came home, we found out that the CPSIA deadline for the testing had been extended a whole year.  At least we got mine tested now.

So miracles can happen as they say, and for me and my business, they did.  I’ve worked hard since I started my business three years ago and I just wasn’t ready to give it up yet.

As for this situation, we have another happy ending. :)