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Thrift stores wary of new consumer law
(Wyoming Tribune-Eagle Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Jan. 13--CHEYENNE -- Thrift store owners say a new law aimed at consumer protection could hurt business.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act requires that children's clothing and toys be tested for lead and certain chemicals. Products made after the law takes effect Feb. 10 must meet the new safety standards.
But thrift stores do not have the resources to ensure that older items meet the new benchmarks, said Dave Shull, Cheyenne captain for The Salvation Army.
"Like most nonprofits, we are on a shoestring (budget)," he said. "It's an added burden to check every toy that is donated."
Toys aren't the only concern.
The zippers, buttons or clasps on children's clothing also could contain unsafe levels of lead.
Children's items are a significant part of the business for the Goodwill Industries thrift store at 3301 E. Nationway. But these products could become discontinued if the law is approved as written, said Jana Conine, chief executive officer for Goodwill Industries of Wyoming.
Even if resellers aren't required to test products like manufacturers, retailers and importers, thrift stores cannot sell jewelry, toys and clothing unless there is proof of safety.
Products geared toward children age 12 and younger cannot contain more than 600 parts per million of total lead once the law goes into effect. These items also cannot contain more than 0.1 percent of certain phthalates, which is added to plastics to increase flexibility.
The stringent mandates put thrift store employees in an unusual position.
Conine said staff members know to check donations for recalled products, but verifying lead and chemical safety levels is a more difficult task. She added that many families in the community depend on thrift stores for inexpensive items.
But if store operators don't know what they can sell, the children's section will no longer be available.
Anything that doesn't meet the safety standards also will be tossed, said Bill Barlow, co-owner of Super Thrift at 2825 E. Lincolnway.
He added that businesses like his are in the same situation as nonprofit agencies: children's items bring business, but there's no equipment for tests.
"It's not a major part of our sales, but it's still something to worry about," he said. "I don't want to have to lose money every month."
Conine said attorneys from the national office for Goodwill Industries are discussing the potential impacts with lawmakers. The law isn't in effect yet, but it still isn't clear how thrift stores and other resellers should respond.
She added she doesn't know how Cheyenne's Goodwill thrift store will react until the Feb. 10 deadline.
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Copyright (c) 2009, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, Cheyenne
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