I’m an interior designer, and this is the same exact thing that the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) tried to pull with the profession. They tried to create a law that would prevent persons from being able to call themselves interior designers, unless they attended a university that had an interior design accreditation. They claimed it was for “safety” of the general public, but let’s be real: Interior designers pick out fabrics, paint colors and design arrangements. They found one scenario, ONE, where an interior designer picked out a fabric that was highly flammable for carpeting in a hotel, and the hotel caught fire and the blaze traveled at an accelerated rate. They took that one instance, and used it for their “cause”. However, what they fail to mention, is that manufacturers always include specifications on the back of any fabric swatch, or on their website, depicting the durability, water resistance, and FLAMMABILITY of the fabric, and you don’t need 4 years of college education to read them.

They claim it was for safety reasons, but in reality, a group of interior designers got together to create a way to shut out competition. Also, the universities that are accredited by these boards have interest in pushing the legislation, because they have to be able to justify making their students acquire thousands of dollars in debt just so they can compete with individuals who are just as talented but may not have attended university. After all, it’s a hard pill to swallow when you’ve earned a degree in a field, only to realize that clients don’t care about your education credentials.

I have reason to believe that this is exactly what’ s happening with the cosmetic companies. They’re upset that people are willing to spend large amounts of $$$ for natural products, and that people don’t believe their bathroom counters have to be filled with big name brands. They probably found 1 or 2 cases where someone had a bad reaction to a natural product, and are running with it.

I’m definitely signing this petition, because soon, there will be a day where you can’t become a part of any profession or trade without someone else regulating how you do it or get into it.

- Savvy
http://savvybrown..com