Are they serious!!!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I am new to Esty. I logged on this morning in search of woven labels to purchase for children’s items I would like to make and sell. I somehow stumbled across all of the CPSIA threads. I was totally unaware to all of this. Now after reading a lot of information today, I am not only pretty confused but also kind of disgusted that such a stupid law exists. I was really excited about opening a store and trying to start a small business- something I have thought about for a long time. Now I am wondering if I should even bother. It is so sad to see people talking about closing their shops or the idea of them not making their children’s items anymore.

If someone is making an item entirely out of fabric, like a scarf or mittens, does that have to be tested?

Even though it would be big hassle, I think I could probably live with the labeling issue (I have no idea what is supposed to be on them at this point). Although I think it is ridiculous to think that people who make hair accessories and such need to have a label actually attached to their items. What is wrong with a card or hang tag? What I think is really crazy is the 3rd party testing! How are small crafters making OOAK items supposed to have their items tested and how are they supposed to be able to afford it? Once they get done labeling items and having them tested, they are going to have to charge so much money for it, that nobody is going to buy it.

If the production of items containing lead is so great, then they should go after the people actually manufacturing the supplies, not the people using the supplies. Although the manufacturers probably don’t even know what things are made out of because they are outsourcing so much to China. I know they hide behind the “intended for children” idea. So what it comes down to is the big companies are allowed to produce the lead items but it is the small businesses that have to pay for it! How sad!

Thanks for listening! Should I continue on with my ideas or put them on the back burner for now?

[Former_Member]

There are many of us wondering the same thing and hoping that we don't have to close shop -- that there will be some revisions which will allow us to continue.

From the number of threads here about CPSIA you can tell that there are many who are affected and who will either have to close or refocus away from children

Many of the children's items crafters are parents and all of us want to protect children. But if this law is enforced as written, none of us will be able to continue to sell and where will all the cute children's clothing and toys be found?

[Former_Member]

all the cute clothing and toys will be found in china. were most of every thing is made with poisons and led. why do they not go after the big company and places and not the little people. stupid law.

[StitchMorgantown]

I would love to get into sewing custom childrens' clothing, but am too scared at this point. I have just a few listings right now that may have to be pulled down once everything goes into effect. :( Hope it gets sorted out soon.

[MegnificentCo]

I like how years ago, people were less afraid, and we didn't wear helmets when we rode bikes, or worried about a handmade shirt.

I hope everything gets sorted out for those of you who make children's items. Good luck.

[Former_Member]

liz1985
liz1985 says:
all the cute clothing and toys will be found in china. were most of every thing is made with poisons and led. why do they not go after the big company and places and not the little people. stupid law.
Posted at 7:58 pm, July 10 2009 EST - Report this post

That is the problem...the law was made to prosecute the
*BIG Importers*, they just lumped us all together..no distinction .
That is where they are going to focus the Enforcement with a vengeance first..BIG Imports..

[Former_Member]

MegnificentCo says:
I like how years ago, people were less afraid, and we didn't wear helmets when we rode bikes, or worried about a handmade shirt.

I hope everything gets sorted out for those of you who make children's items. Good luck.

************

I agree, I feel like people are worrying because they are being told to for some reason. I would be far less concerned about a handmade etsy toy than I would about a chinese one that was made with no consideration other than the cheapest most cost effective materials.

I will say though, that helmets are a good idea. I saw someone not wearing one recently get hit by a car, he shattered the windshield with his unhelmeted head, so I'll call that safety rule a good one haha.

[Former_Member]

completely ridic. I was besides myself when I read about this. I am new to Etsy too! Don't give up your dream to create, just find a way around it, or research it more. That's what I am doing. I am wondering if we can just call the manufacturer and see if they have already tested their products. Can we do that? I tried to make some calls today but no one answered.

[Former_Member]

I've read that you can't do that :( even if the manufacturer has tested your materials, you are responsible for testing your "final product" so even if all of your materials were tested and checked out, the final product itself has to be tested too. It's absolutely out of control.
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/manufacturers.html#q1
if you scroll to the bottom of their official page there is a list of materials that you can combine without a need for testing, BUT I am hearing lately that you still have to label items...... I am confused about this labeling business..... sigh

[Former_Member]

Ugghh the little people always get screwed by the government! I'm so upset by all this because I have been working on a line of softie dolls of my two characters sophia and amelia for 6 months now and if that goes to the winds because of this I'm going to vote for tom cruise next time.

[Former_Member]

I don't understand why the small volume hand crafter needs to be concerned with testing products. Unless you are directly importing materials yourself, I would think the material would already have been tested. It's ridiculous of the government to expect someone who makes and sells a limited amount of product to assume the cost of individual testing of each material used. Sometimes I wonder about this country.

[BostonMillinery]

Mkat,
I am with you and I too have had ideas for producing childrens items eventually.
The whole thing stinks! I am stunned at the ludicrous idea of testing OOAK items which I would be producing. They should definitely be going after the suppliers!

[Former_Member]

When this law was written, no one thought about the crafters -- we were not on their horizon at all -- so they really did not target us specifically. However, the law is very broad and we are caught in the net as well as the huge importers.

The labeling issue has been around for a long time. When you make something to sell that is textile, you are susposed to lable it with certain information. Do a search on textile and wool labeling requirements.

CPSIA is adding to those requirements. We need to track items from each batch and keep records on the supplies that went into that batch. If you are making OOAK then you have batches of 1

[MamaFamilias]

There is a real possibility that the textile and natural material exemption which is set to expire in Feb could be extended or made permanent. Perhaps design with this in mind (no snaps, wood buttons, etc.)

I would say go for it. Put you labels on (though as we are now in the 11th hour, I'm expecting an extension on the CPSIA version) and if nothing else, you get one holiday season out of it. Who knows, maybe the holiday season will be so successful for you that you will able to afford testing:)