Bulk Vending Industry Takes CPSIA Fight To Capitol Hill

[West Coast Vend LLC]

Bulk Vending Industry Takes CPSIA Fight To Capitol Hill

Renee

WASHINGTON -- Bulk vending leaders traveled to Capitol Hill on June 26 to meet with members of Congress, legislative directors and committee staffers to press for relief from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act's onerous Section 103. They reported that those involved in the legislative process seem willing to consider a technical corrections bill, which would outline exclusions to tracking and labeling provisions required by the law.

Section 103 requires tracking labels on all toys, which might include small novelties in vendible capsules, and will commence Aug. 14, one year after President Bush signed the act into law.

With current legislation offering relief to bulk vending already brewing in Congress, the National Bulk Vendors Association said its strategy during last week's meetings consisted of a three-tiered approach. Firstly, it is seeking a one-year stay of enforcement of Section 103. Secondly, it is simultaneously seeking permanent relief in the form of legislation, and, finally, official guidance from the Consumer Products Safety Commission regarding practicability as it relates to the labeling requirements.

Working with the association's counsel, Quin Dodd of the law firm Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo LLP, NBVA provided policymakers an overview of the industry, and outlined the likely dire effects Section 103 would have on it. The association argued that the law is neither technologically nor economically practicable.

PHOTO: From left, NBVA's Carl Morcate and Kevin Dumphy and association counselor Matt Cohen discuss labeling issue with Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).

[lurtsman]

Nothing like a bill to help keep people safe. In other news, we could really use some information about the benefits of breathing as people who stop breathing frequently die.

[Smiley]

West,

Where did you copy this from?

[caserri]

Smiley,

I'm not sure where Gary got this particular text but I've seen this story in several pubs. Most notably, The Vending Times.

[West Coast Vend LLC]

I get an email every once in a while from the Vending Times called: "Ahead of the Times" That is where it came from.

Gary

[markvend]

Gary,

Thanks for posting this.  I had been trying to find out where we were actually at in the lobbying process.  Hopefully this will all work out to our benefit to help us preserve our profit margins on toys.

Mark

[Jax Snacks]

This bill could kill the bulk toy industry!  Clearly good intentions gone bad.  Bulk vending toys are not intended for toddlers who are the ones who put things in their mouth.  How many 8 year old's are chewing on a zoo mania piece?  Ahhh government, welcome to the new Socialist States of America!

I would encourage any toy vendor to contribute to the legal fund on the NBVA web site to fight this insanity.  If we can't vend toys, well we all need to either get or stay in a corporate job.  Selling just candy and gum will simply not cut it for a full time income.  Exception: Unless you build a 1000+ location gumball route with the wolf man!

Jax

[West Coast Vend LLC]

If this passes, you will have to raise the prices on all encapsulated toys. As it is, the cost of testing products is narrowing the profits for manufacturers. Once they have to add labeling to each piece, the prices will be passed on to you know who. The next price point will be 25's up to 50 cents and 50's to 75 or $1. I read that the lawyers the NBVA have working for the vending community are very good, so I hope they come up with a solution soon.

Gary

[Faith Vending]

When are the attacks on our freedom going to stop? I would say in a year an a half and then in 3 years? Throw all the bast@%$%^$!!! out and stay out of our business!!