The FDA’s proposed Globalization Act of 2008 places businesses like Sarva in severe jeopardy, potentially forcing small/cottage businesses to shut down and preventing new ones from starting.

The Globalization Act proposes mandating outrageous fees for food, drug, medical device, and cosmetics companies.  Also required would be paperwork that would cripple the average sole proprietor.  Fees for registration and re-registration, certification, importing, exporting, inspection and reinspection, heavy fines for noncompliance, and so on and so forth, are predicted to generate $600 million to fund FDA activities!

Companies such as
Sarva Natural Artisan Soaps
WILL NOT SURVIVE
under this proposed Act.

Let me be clear.  I am fully in support of protecting the safety of consumers.  After all, I too am a consumer, and there’s a lot out there to wonder about! However, these draconian measures are complete overkill and go beyond simply protecting the consumer.  What they will serve to do is limit YOUR choices to only businesses who can afford what might amount to $12,000 per year in fees to simply stay in business.   Yep, that’s big box companies.

And the effects will trickle into an incredible domino effect. If businesses all across the country don’t exist, they don’t need supplies, which shuts their suppliers down. Which puts a dent in the shipping industry. Which causes even more job loss. Which affects every single community. Think of the damage to an already drowning economy that can ensue. Think of the message it delivers to would-be entrepreneurs nationwide: “You don’t have a chance of even getting started.” In a time when many people seek to supplement their income, this is a devastating message.

Think also about consumers like yourself, my valued customers, who come to companies like mine for an alternative to mass-produced synthetics… seeking an environmentally friendly, meaningful product they can feel good about using. What will be left?

What will YOU choose if you lose your right to purchase artisanal products?

Remember:  The fee structure under this Act is NOT tiered.  All businesses, regardless of size, must pay the same fee.  That means a business who earns $1500 in annual profit must pay the same fees that a business who earns $15,000,000 in profit.

Also remember:  The most highly profitable cosmetics businesses are frequently using cheap, synthetic, often highly sensitizing ingredients.  Don’t believe me?  Read the ingredients for yourself.

Doesn’t it seem that the FDA is trying to protect you from NATURAL PRODUCTS?

This could happen very soon. This is the outcome if enough support is not garnered to lobby against this bill.

Thankfully, the bill is presently in draft stage, which still allows time for petitions and discussion!

Please watch this important video made by Donna Maria Coles Johnson, a former attorney, author, and founder of the Indie Beauty Network, a support and advocacy network for small business in the beauty industry.   She explains the issue far better than I ever could.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW9SlqiA_DI&hl=en&fs=1]

Next, get involved.  It only takes a couple of minutes to make a difference. Visit the Indie Business Blog, where she has created a petition that YOU can sign to prevent businesses like mine from going under.  You can also visit the site she mentions in the above video, Families Against Unfair Laws, for updates on this important issue.

I am so grateful to all of my customers and friends for supporting what I love to do so much… and if you love your Sarva soap, or any other handcrafted/artisanal personal care items, now’s the time to take action… or you may never get to enjoy them again!