One Year Later, New Product Safety Law Still a Problem for Apparel Makers

NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--
Stung by provisions in the new children's product safety law that have impacted
their businesses without improving safety, a coalition of apparel manufacturers
yesterday called on Congress to review some provisions in the Consumer Product
Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in order to address serious unintended
consequences in the new law.

In a letter to Chairman Henry Waxman and other members of the House Committee on
Energy and Commerce, the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear voiced
disappointment that businesses were not asked to testify at the first hearing
convened by the committee to examine implementation of the year-old law.

In the letter, Coalition President Steven Levy urged the Committee to consider
the perspective of businesses grappling with the unintended consequences of the
sweeping new law.

"We welcomed the CPSIA when it was passed," wrote Levy, "however its overly
broad definition of children's products, unrealistic implementation timelines,
and the lack of clear guidance from the CPSC has caused very considerable
confusion in the marketplace. We are struggling to implement the numerous
provisions of the CPSIA without the benefit of the required direction and
clarifications by the CPSC."

The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear represents nearly 130 small
family-owned children`s clothing manufacturers in the New York area that have
been making safe children`s products for years. Many of the group's companies
are being run by the second and in some cases the fourth generations of the
company founders.

"Because the CPSIA prohibits the CPSC from using risk assessment in enforcing
the law, we remain obligated to conduct costly and time-consuming tests to
repeatedly prove that our safe products conform to the lead standards," wrote
Levy. "Put simply, these and other burdensome provisions of the CPSIA threaten
our ability to remain in business and provide jobs and do nothing to improve
product safety."

"It is our view that the only way to resolve many of these issues is to amend
the law to provide for a common sense, risk-based approach," Levy concludes. "As
you know, there have been more than 10 bills introduced in Congress to amend the
CPSIA. We strongly urge you to begin the legislative process and provide the
appropriate relief."

For more information about the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear,
or to access a copy of the letter to Chairman Waxman, please contact Caitlin
Andrews at (202) 828-7637 or Caitlin.andrews@bgllp.com.

Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear
Caitlin Andrews, 202-828-7637
caitlin.andrews@bgllp.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009