Guest Author - Lucinda Moriarty

If you write books for children, keep your eyes on The Consumer Product Safety Information Act. This new law goes into effect on February 10, 2009 dictating stringent regulation of all products manufactured for children.

As written, it includes children’s books.

Remember the many toy recalls a few years ago? Levels of lead considered hazardous to children were discovered in toys imported into the United States from China. With the protection of children in mind, Congress began legislation limiting lead content in all items primarily used by children.

You’re asking yourself, “What does lead have to do with children’s books?”

The children’s book industry is wondering the same thing.

One of the chief criticisms of the CPSIA is that the law is too broad and therefore somewhat confusing. It seems to include everything from plush toys to playpens.

Products that under normal circumstances would not contain lead – like books – are seemingly subject to the same requirements as products that are more likely to contain lead.

It is like putting a picture book under the same chemical scrutiny as a toy truck.

Compliance with the new law isn’t cheap. All new products for children are required to undergo third party testing and receive certification that the items are within acceptable lead limits. Existing products – those currently in warehouses or in stores – must be within these established limits as well, although they do not need to be certified.

With the February deadline looming, publishers are scrambling to seek out clarification of the new law.

If the law continues to include children’s books, publishers will need to incur significant costs related to the required testing. Production of new books could dwindle. Sale of existing books could stop entirely as retailers considered removing product from the shelves completely.

As costs increase, book prices will undoubtedly go up. Given the current economy, this could possibly be devastating for anyone associated with the sale of children’s books.

It isn’t all doom and gloom, however. Publishers of children’s books will continue to press for answers, file protests, and seek out legal options.

Until a resolution is reached, know that the weeks ahead could be filled with significant changes to the children’s book industry.