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FDA Globalization Act 2008 (Update)
As you may know there is a US Congressional Committee attempting to generate a bill entitled "FDA Globalization Act of 2008". If this bill becomes law as proposed, it will cost anyone making a cosmetic (lip balms, lotions, etc) to register and pay a minimum of $2,000 annually to the FDA. These businesses will also need to register each of their formulas with the government, document their standards of good manufacturing practices and report all adverse reactions.
Wholesale Supplies Plus feels that all of this will greatly stifle small business owners and frankly force most customers to close their doors and go out of business.
You may be aware the Donna Marie Coles Johnson has been working on this issue and even went to Washington with a group of small business owners. From my discussions with those involved, it was a very successful trip in that it brought attention to our concerns but may not have been successful in creating change in the proposed legislation.
I do feel that it is time Wholesale Supplies Plus takes serious action. WSP has engaged a lobbyist firm to work on behalf of all small businesses and crafters making cosmetics. This firm has developed what I feel is a solid campaign on behalf of our customers.
WSP has pledged $35,000 in 2008 specifically for this effort. Depending on how the issue unfolds, there will likely be additional financial requirements going into 2009. If this is the case, we are hoping to engage other companies to join our efforts.
I want to let you know that in light of this important issue and the unexpected expenses, I will not attending the May 2009 Soap Guild Convention and/or sponsoring local gatherings for 2009. We will not be raising prices to fund this effort. Instead we will trim expenses.
I feel bad about not attending the convention, I do hope you understand. If you have questions, suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Debbie May
http://www.wholesalesuppliesplus.com/
1-800-359-0944
22 comments:
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Thank you for your effort on fighting this bill as it will affect many people and businesses.
Just another way for the greedy government to get MORE money!
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Debbie,
I am very grateful you have decided to use your money in this way. I know everyone at HSMG will miss you at the 2009 convention in Palm Springs. We really enjoyed the great seminars and handouts you shared in Vermont and the wonderful party you sponsored. If this Act becomes a law the small companies such as mine won't be in business and able to attend the conventions anymore anyway. I am sure most will understand their business is in jeopardy right now and will be grateful as I am. Thanks for all you do for all of our business.
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IMO, this is another attempt by the big corporations to push the little homecrafter and small business owners out.
Thank you, Debbie, for helping us fight the good fight.
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Debbie, I cannot tell you how much you mean to me and lots of other crafters. You have always gone out of your way to help us in any way you can and I don't know how I can thank you for standing up for us. Let's just keep faith and remember David and I think we can kill the giant that threatens us. I will pray every day for this law to never pass. I think our goverment needs to focus on real problems not us little soap and lotion makers. How many people are getting cancer from our products ? None, and does our products pose a threat to the public ? No. Uncle Sam needs to worry about people building things to blow us up not make us clean and smelling good !
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Debbie - thank you so much pledging such a substantial amount of WSP $$ to address this issue. Every one of your customers is affected by this and it makes sense to direct funds that way and trim expenses in conventions and gatherings to help make up for it. I understand completely.
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I know this isn't your reason for doing it - but the fact that you have taken this step has totally won me over as a permanent customer!
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Does this include people who sell at craft fairs or Farmers' Markets?
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Thank you for this effort!! As a small business owner I currently cannot afford that much to pay to the FDA. I am not like large corperations where 2000.00 is pocket change. 2000.00 can easily supply me for 6 months on all of my needs to make my products. My little business is what supports my family and I think the government is going a little to far in having a hand in every "little" thing. Thank you again..... I hope this is all successful to protect us and help us stay in business!!
Rachel
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Hi Debbie~ I am so grateful that you are hiring a lobbyist to work on all of our behalf. I feel sure that having a lobbyist speak for all of us is an important way to be heard in Washington!!!
Your efforts and the efforts of all of the other "Indie Warriors" are a gift to those of us who have found joy and income in soapmaking! I can't tell you how sad I would be if I had to give up my business! And I know there are thousands of others who feel the same way~ soapmaking isn't my job, it's my love!
So, thank you from the bottom of my soap~making, lotion formulating heart!
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Thank you so much for taking the time and erengy to fight for us. I am just starting out as a B&B crafter and having heard this some time ago, I began to feel worried. However, most people I had talked to asked me to keep going strong .. which I have.
I do hope we can keep things the way they are. WSP is an amazing company and has helped me fuel my passion more than I can ever express.
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I think it is fabulous of you to do this. A lot of us are trying to contact our senators and representatives. Mine do not appear interested to return a reply. I intend to keep sending to the them. It's great to see this kind of action. I think another thing for many of us to think about is the added expenses we'll have in testing fees alone, along with what other areas this will/could expand into.
Again, thank you!
Julie
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KUDOS to WSP! Thank you Debbie for all that you are doing to fight against the FDA Globalization Act. My prayers are with you for your success. And with everyone in the crafting community.
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Debbie,
Thank you for stepping up to the plate on this! As a small business owner, I do appreciate it. While I cannot make any huge contribution to your lobbyist, perhaps many of us can send $100 toward the cause. I will contact you separately to see if you think this will work. Others who see this may choose to join in
Eileen
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Thank you for giving us a voice. This act would be a set back for many of us small businesses and deter others from considering going into business. You are a blessing.
Barb D.
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Debbie, I want to thank you for fighting the FDA Globalization Act. It would be so sad for so many of us to close our little businesses. I can't even imagine being forced to use inferior store-bought toiletries and soaps any more. My sensitive skin just can't handle the junk ingredients that the big cosmetic companies use. I agree with Dianne - let's keep the faith and remember that David got Goliath. Our politicians and the media need to know about our plight before it's too late. Thank you again, Deb.
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Thank you Debbie, for your advocacy on this issue. It is inspiring to us small businesses to know that a large company like WSP has joined the ranks! I am also making an effort to advocate for my business; I have contacted my State Representatives and am currently working with my local newspaper for some media attention on this issue. Hopefully, together we can all make a difference! Your 'gift' of a lobbyist for this issue is absolutely commendable, thanks again.
Cheryl N.
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Could it be the big boys way of extinguishing the cottage industry. After all, a big chunk of the population would rather use hand crafted products. Debbie, the company I work for is on shaky ground (I'm a cosmetic chemist)I'm in the process of creating my business after my husband walked out on our family. It's reassuring to know that you're out there fighting. You've just earned another loyal customer. Let us know how we can help.
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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!
I pledge to buy EVERYTHING I can from your business! (My 'shopping around for the best deal' has just eneded). Your business, and beliefs, ARE the best deal!
Thank you again for stepping up, as only you can, for YOUR customers!!
I will also do my part to inform more people of this piece of legislation that will only help the mega-pharmaceutical corporations keep more of us 'little people' out of THEIR way. And then THEY will be able to use any ingredient they want in the 'daily living' products we will be forced to purchase from them alone!
and THEY think I am
Crazzy Woman
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Debbie,
Just a thought here........ when making a purchase from WSP I have always chosen the option to round up the amount for the Autism donation. Perhaps if you also gave an option for donating for your lobbyist, your customers like me could also take part in helping out with the FDA issue. I for one, would be very willing to donate ($5 or $10) each time I order to help fight this battle!
Cheryl
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Debbie, We will miss you at the conference, but your work with the FDA Globalization Act is greatly appreciated. You and your lobbyist can call on the HSMG for support at any time. Marie Gale, President, HSMG
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Debbie --
Thanks for defending us. I know I will definitely make sure I buy from you in the future, someone who cares about us and our business, rather than a supplier who does not.
This law is such a blatant attempt by the FDA and big drug and cosmetic companies to eliminate us that it is obscene. And it's even worse that our own government is allowing them to do it!
The State of Florida has already adopted the FDA Globalization Act as their state law, raised fees accordingly, and implement impossible restrictions on our small businesses this year.
When I talked to the officals at the state capital, they informed me that my "body" cream was obviously a drug, as it had two herbs in it, and I would also have to register as a drug manufacturer, requiring another fat fee. The State of Florida obviously does not want small businesses in their state and are determined to close us down or stop us from even starting. I will definitely be looking for another state to start and hopefully, grow my business. Florida sure doesn't want us anymore.
The outrageous fees the national FDA Globalization Act is requiring are going to prohibit new businesses from entering the field and close the doors of the small businesses already in operation. Only the big guys will be able to afford to pay them. For my simple body cream, if my state declares it a drug, the national FDA will also and charge me another $10,000 on top of the $2,000 they are going to demand.
This law will also give them absolute, unsupervised, and uncontrolled police power over any small business under their umbrella. On top of that, if we have our business in a state like Florida, they already have those powers now, so we're going to get smacked in outrageous fees and impossible regulations for small one or two person businesses.
The only thing this Act will give the FDA is millions of dollars to hire more enforcement agents to oversee an small section of an industry that has never caused any problems to them, but is causing profit losses to the companies they support.
These laws need to be re-written to keep the playing field level for the small guy, and to make sure there are checks and balances so that the FDA does not have absolute power over what Americans can purchase or put on or in their own bodies. We are NOT a socialist or communist country and our citizens have fought to keep us from becoming one.
Again, thanks for caring about us, Debbie. My prayers are with you in the hopes that you will be able to make our congress listen and understand what you are saying.
-- Dinah
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Thanks for your support on this. Between the efforts of WSP, the Indie Beauty Network and others, both individually and in groups, I am optomistic that something can be accomplished in our favor on this issue. As I get older and have issues confront and intrude in my life, I truly understand what is meant when someone says "You must pick your battles." No one has the time, strength, money or mental endurance to take on every crappy thing that comes thier way. You (and dM and the rest) have chosen THIS battle and wisely. It affects a diverse group of people cutting across all the sociotal barriers of race, class, sex, education, etc. It has made many competitors join hands and say "If we don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything". So a big thank you for helping us to stand.