What is the CPSIA?

Earlier this year, Snopes weighed in on CPSIA and resellers and thrift stores. Many people found their reporting on the issue to be inflammatory because the site focused on a single element: the requirement of retail and thrift stores to test and certify the products they sell as CPSIA compliant.

The CPSIA initially stated that all resale stores had to test and certify their products as complying with the lead and phthalate limits as stated by the law. Shortly before the law went into effect on February 10th, however, the CPSC released a clarification about the responsibilities of a reseller or thrift stores.

While a retail or thrift store may no longer be required to test and certify their products, they are held liable for any item they sell that my not meet the stated limits. Due to the broad nature of the products the law covers, the CPSC recall list does not suffice as a resource for these stores. Thrift stores especially feel it is far to risky to take an item that does not have certification and therefore many have scaled back their children’s selection or removed it all together.

Because so many people often rely on the popular urban legend site to verify certain claims, people contacted Snopes and asked that they revise their post. Unfortunately, Snopes has been unwilling to clarify their reporting and continue to mislead their readers.

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