We have just heard that Selecta (distributed by Europlay) will no longer be available in the USA in 2009, citing the cost of certain requirements of the CPSIA, which could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Despite being one of our competitors, we have always respected this company and valued their products and high quality. In our retailing days, we sold some of their products, and were proud to do so.

Is this the canary in the mine shaft? I think it is a clear sign of things to come. In the words of Dan Marshall, from Peapods and founder of the Handmade Toy Alliance, "US kids will no longer be
threatened by hardwood german toys finished in beeswax."

Is this really the road that we want to take? Is this really what the consumers were screaming for last year? Do