I'm a small-time business owner who's made some doll jewelry to sell on the side (it's not even the main part of my business); can I not sell it because I can't swear that it's lead free?  Obviously I'm not going to pay to test $30 worth of Barbie jewelry or old-fashioned rag dolls.  Are there exemptions for people who craft and sell small amounts of stuff?  Are all of the pop gun makers and woodworkers I see selling toys at craft shows going to have to go under?  

This will tickle down to material suppliers and then to consumers.  All of the Bill of Material items will have to be checked, much like all manufacturers do now in regards to RoHR regs, regarding the chemicals.  A pain to do?  Absolutely.  Can it be done with some due diligence?  Yes, you just have to take the time to get it right.  

It's ironoc that a German company would be dropping out of the U.S.A markrt. The EU presently has the most stringent enviromental program in the global market: REACH. This is a program that requires all manufacturers inside the EU to register the chemical substances in their products. Those manufacturers outside the EU must appoint an agent in the EU to register the substances in their products.

The U.S.A presently doesn't have a list of banned chemicals or a process for preventing hazardous chemicals in products. The U.S.A automotive industry has the IMDS which requires suppliers to list all the substances in their products prior to submiiting for product approval.

I make couture doll clothes and there's no way I'd pay for the testing either. It wouldn't be worth the expense. I'm wondering what agency I can write to for more info, exemptions, etc.? Anybody know?

There are lots of sellers out there who are very small time (think home based crafters in business) who are very worried about this law. There is a lot of information and misinformation about it out there on the web. Some have even dubbed the day after it goes into effect as 'National Bankruptcy Day'.

I make and sell sewn items, and I since I don't speak legalese, I am having a hard time determining how it will affect me and my business.

I'd rather see some companies go out of business than risk having our citizens, especially our children, exposed to unsafe lead amounts.  Lead poisoning does horrible things to people and sometimes the effects are permanent.  Our fellow citizens' health should be our greatest concern.

Now that said, I think the laws should be reasonable.  Things like bike tire valves and other things that would be difficult to end up in someone's mouth should be given equal and fair treatment in regards to exemptions.  Any kind of jewelry - whether it's for dolls or kids should probably not be exempt.  Dinnerware and cookware should absolutely have to be lead free, unless the lead is encased between layers of other metals and could never leech out.  Instead of making blanket across the board bans or exemptions, each type of application should be investigated individually.

Cry me a river.  All the exec's of the big companies knew there was lead in the toys they were selling, and they let it happen.  They should go to jail.  Lead is bad, bad news for little ones.  It's incredulous that both the Clinton and Bush administrations allowed this to happen for so long.

Maybe if every single toy was made in the U.S. again, instead of China and Taiwan, we wouldn't have to worry about lead in the first place.

I once had a magic set for christmas, how we laughed as I performed my tricks

I think as a country that we are going off the deep end with this safety stuff.  Almost fanaticism.

My board game, EcoRanch, is made in the USA and is 20% PCW. Even though I have certificates from the manufacturer saying that all components within my game are safe and non-toxic, I still have to send my game to a testing facility for evaluation. Although this is a huge hardship on my small business, I want parents to feel safe about my products (even thought the game is for 12+). I am a strong advocate in producing here because I can guarantee my product is safe and is produced at fair wages. I feel much more in control this way. If you are committed to this idea, then you as the consumer, must support these products, but don't be surprised if they are more expensive than oversea products.