I do believe Ron Paul, the only legislator that didn't vote for this bills passage DID bring up the second hand market - and no one cared. The safety of children, especially after the media got the public fired up and scared to death after the recalls from Chinese imports earlier this year made this a very hot button issue. Legislators probably didn't want to draw constituents ire by NOT voting for it and be darned the consequences.

The large manufacturers of course have known about this law as they have lobbying groups and such that keep on top of stuff that would impact their industry. It does apply to clothing for children 12 and under no doubts about that because the words they used and the way they wrote it made this apply to almost everything geared for sale to children 12 and under. The painted wood buttons on that cute sweater might have lead in it - the zipper might have lead - the painted applique might have lead etc. Anyway, yes it is confusing as crap - and it shouldn't be - especially when it impacts so many different aspects of the economy. How'd you like to be a small, stay at home mom making organic toys and clothing made from organic cotton and have to have your stuff tested? Isn't THAT a kicker? No sense.

We have gotten in two items in the last few weeks that DO contain labels, as required under the new law - that the thing has been tested and complies with CPSIA. Both baby walker things - the round things (can you tell we don't sell tons of kid's gear?) I haven't been in the stores much in the last week or so and thus haven't looked at the kid's clothing - but clothing in general is way stockpiled by most bigger retailers due to dismal sales and the economy - so haven't seen any clothing coming through differently.

I suspect that your husband doesn't know about the law because the management and buyers are handling all that and deciding what to do with the current stock and he'll just get inventory instructions - however they do that in his organization. He's in charge of selling what they send him right? No need to stir him up and deluge him with info he has no need to bother with. I'm sure at some point, once big outfits like his decide what they are doing and how they'll send around some piece of corporate info.At least that's usually how it works right? The apparel manufacturers are probably all lobbying pretty hard in Washington right now trying to push for changes to this thing, hoping for quicker resolutions so their members can make their best decisions under the circumstances.

The CPSC as I understand it currently only has about 450 staff members and they are being swamped with calls for clarifications, requests for amendments and the like - glad I'm not in their shoes - as it is their job to carry out what congress instructs. Seems they haven't had a chance to catch their breath - and if their increased funding hasn't come through yet (the government handles such things in a very onerous way) - they are probably doing the best they can - but that doesn't console us - it doesn't me.