Only products marketed to children 12 and under need to be tested and this includes EVERYTHING; mass produced or "custom" made.  If you can provide certificates from your manufacturers stating all your components are non-toxic, you will only have to get 1 piece tested every 6 months. The EU does have in place the REACH program and if you qualify for their standards, all certificates and permits will be honored in the US.  I know this because I am currently buying REACH certified components and do not have to re-test.  And you can guess why... Imports!  The US hasn't allowed lead to be used in most of its domestic production for years because of the health issues.  Remember babies eating paint chips and getting sick?  China and Taiwan have NO enviornmental or health regulations regarding what is used in their manufacturing process and this is what is causing this mess.  The greedy American companies realized that they couldn't be as profitable using enviornmentally or health friendly components so they sent the production off shore knowing that China would use harmful chemicals and turned a BIG blind eye in order to cash in on the increased profits.  

This is a ploy to drive small toy manufacturers out of business.  Even your PRESCRIPTION DRUGS do not have to undergo 3rd party testing.  Drug manufacturers maintain all records and perform all testing and have to submit records to the FDA periodically - it is called auditing.  

Screw that chinese made crap! These A$$holes will poison their own babies to make a better profit! They are also making "fake" medicines that our U.S. drug companies sell (see heparin - blood thinner and how many people died recently from that). Our business leaders are selling us down the river in so many ways. WalMart (china central) is leading the way.

People, please use your common sense.  If you make clothes, fabric is obviously exempt.  But if there are zipper pulls or other metal items attached to it, then obviously you need to have it tested at a credited lab, such as Intertek, Bureau Veritas, SGS, CTL, etc.

I have a game with a wooden stick and a piece of string, the stick  is made from wood and the string is made from string, I do hope I am not putting myself in jepardy by using it

My main concern is for the kid's well being, that said, I have seen more recalls of goods made in Asia than from anywhere else. The imported components that are used for home-made or custom toy/clothing manufacture should be inspected at entry to the country [U.S.A.] at the expense of the manufacturer. This will cause prices to rise for kid's toys, etc. but they are worth the ofset of potential health cost issues. By doing the above mentioned procedure. This would enable small business to obtain certificate of compliance in materials used. Our country was built on ingenuity and the folks making these items from home and small shops should be applauded and backed up by us, the consumers.

As to books and other media, I ask you to go to a bookstore and notice the chemical smell that come from some imported kid's books. This disreguard for kid's well being is inexcuseable and corrupt. Hopefully our lawmakers will decide whats best?

If memory serves those toys were made in China. The problem is our Government is run by complete idiots. There were many cases last year of the Chineese perpetrating consumer fraud. Some were downright despicable i.e. using a chemical in medications that was nothing less than poison. I don't know about you folks but when I do business with someone and they lie and defraud me, I quit doing business with them. Maybe we should make our kids toys here. But, like I said, there are idiots at the helm.

Dear GLevi, Where can I find proof that US will honor and recognize European REACH test results? I am an importer of toys and have REACH results, but cannot afford to double up and retest for USA

Marley dies in the movie, marley & me

As a new mother, I worry about the toys and items that my young son comes into contact with.  These fears were driven by the tons of toy recalls last year due to lead.  Lead!  In toys!  Not toys for teens, but for the Mattel and  Fisher Price crowd.  Those that believe that every toy should be explored orally.  It is unfortunate that the new laws may cause some small businesses to fail, but I have to think of my child and other children.  Blame the large companies who (I am sure knowingly) allowed their toys to be made with harmful materials, not the government for trying to keep the public safe.