From a new set of guidelines issued (PDF file) by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Is the product commonly recognized by consumers as being intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger?

Is there any packaging, labeling, advertising or other material that might indicate the manufacturer’s intention as to the appropriate age grading of the product?

This handbook will help sellers of used products identify types of potentially hazardous products that could harm children or others. CPSC’s laws and regulations apply to anyone who sells or distributes consumer products. This includes thrift stores, consignment stores, charities, and individuals holding yard sales and flea markets.

A few examples. You cannot sell items meant for use by children that contain certain phthalates. The limit is 0.1% (of total weight) in toys and child care articles.

A “children’s toy” is a product intended for a child 12 years of age or younger for use when playing. General use balls, bath toys/bath books, dolls and inflatable pool toys are examples of toys that are covered by the law and might contain phthalates.

Phthalates, or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability and longevity). They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. (source: WIKI)

Yup, everyone knows just how much phthalates a used toy contains.

Children’s books:

Books – “ordinary” children’s titles e.g. paperbacks and hardbacks
OK to sell, if printed after 1985.

Look at your books, you’ve been warned.

So before you have that yard sale, maybe you should consider consulting CSPC Publication #254.

Before you know it, the ObamaCorps will be knocking on your door to cart away your unused goods to give them to those that are without.

As Ayn Rand once said:

“There’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.“

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