Happy Panda Baby Supporting Other Designers in Fight Against CPSIA
[This is another in a series of posts by Susan Maphis covering the impact of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade and sign up for her CPSIA Alerts Mailing List ]
Happy Panda Baby is the brainchild of Pamela Kramer and her friend Emily Sanderson. The company produces high quality babywear for larger babies. After Kramer’s two babies grew so quickly that they were wearing size 2T before their first birthdays, she decided to start a store that sells clothing exclusively for bigger babies, or what she lovingly terms, “happy pandas.” Their big and tall baby clothing is designed and made in the USA, using environmentally safe fabrics and inks. However, some of Happy Panda’s clothing will be discontinued because of the impending CPSIA legislation, going into effect on February 10.
The CPSIA has already forced Kramer to drop her line of infant gowns and bibs. She has discovered that it would cost $1350 to test just one gown and bib set for lead and phthalates. “It isn’t possible for us to absorb that kind of cost at this time and we will no longer carry these gowns or bibs,” Kramer explains.
Kramer features on her blog a listing of CPSIA Inventory Sales of 30 other stores and designers of children’s products. She also encourages everyone to become involved. Currently, Kramer is giving away three sets of the gowns and bibs in a contest. To enter, you must state what you’ve been doing to be proactive about CPSIA, whether it’s signing petitions, blogging, or something else to get the word out about the problem. The sets normally retail for $35. To enter, visit HappyPandaBaby.com/blog and leave a comment stating what you’ve done to support the cause. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. February 1. To view all of Kramer’s products, visit HappyPandaBaby.com.
[ For more information about the CPSIA, read Susan's previous article: The End Of Handmade]
