Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear

The Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear is a U.S.-based front group created by the American Apparel and Footwear Association to oppose aspects of the new lead standards contained in the the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The legislation -- which was passed in the wake of controversy over the manufacturing standards of Chinese toy companies -- requires manufacturers to ensure that toy, clothing and other products for children 12 and under products don't exceed a threshold of 600 parts per million of lead.

The domain name for the group's website was created on February 3, 2009. However, the registrant is anonymous and provides no indication that the American Apparel and Footwear Association is the sponsor of the organisation.

Background
The Detroit News stated that the group -- which organised street protest over the introduction of the new regulations in February 2009 -- "represents manufacturers and family business workers, says the new rules would cost thousands of jobs and drive companies out of business." The group does not have a

In February 2009, the group was a part of a coalition organised by the National Association of Manufacturers which called for a delay in the introduction of the regulations. Others in the coalition included the American Apparel & Footwear Association; the Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc.; the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association; The International Art Materials Trade Association NAMTA; the International Sleep Products Association; the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association; the Motorcycle Industry Council; the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America; the Toy Industry Association; and the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association. The media release announcing the advertisement listed Rosario Palmieri from the National Association of Manufacturers and George Felcyn from Bracewell & Giuliani, LLP as the media contacts.

Personnel

 * Steve Levy, from Star Ride Kids, a sportswear wholesaler, has been described as a spokesman for the coalition.
 * Trey Ditto from the PR firm Rubenstein is listed as the person issuing media releases for the coalition.

Contact Details
Coalition for Safe and Affordable Childrenswear, Inc. P.O. Box 20144 Greeley Square Station New York, N.Y. 10001-0005 Email: kidsfashions AT gmail.com Phone: (646) 720-0078 Website: http://site.safechildrenswear.org/Home_Page.html

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