CPSIA Compliant

[Former_Member]

What do you sell and how are you working to become CPSIA compliant?

I sell baby carriers and I'm just looking for ideas on how to complete reasonable testing.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[Former_Member]

Here is my series on testing options:

http://buggalove.blogspot.com/2009/01/cost-of-compliance-with-cpsia.html
http://buggalove.blogspot.com/2009/01/cost-of-compliance-with-cpsia-volume-2.html
http://buggalove.blogspot.com/2009/01/cost-of-compliance-volume-3-sending.html

[wigglysee]

I having my items tested by XRF testing to cover me until August

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the info Bugga

[Former_Member]

I am looking for a way to reasonably test my items, but in the mass of information, I can't seem to find what the average handcrafter is required (or going) to do.

I make bibs, children's clothing, children's stuffed toys/dolls, and some children's room decor items. I've been at this for 8 years and so I can't just give up my business b/c it would hurt my family to do so.

What exactly is XRF testing?

After viewing the video with the textile companies showing no lead in the testing they did, and the majority of my items being made of textiles, would it be "reasonable testing" to use this information or get letters from say "Coats n Clark" stating they have tested items for lead?

[Former_Member]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who isn't sure about this. I thought maybe I'd just missed the "clear answer" somewhere. I can now see their really isn't one.

[Former_Member]

Opps, I got posting happy (or CPSIA scared!) and posted before reading BuggaBaby's links--- those are very helpful, thank you! :)

[Dannielle]

You will be very interested in what is shown in the meeting video and pdf's on this page of the CPSC's site, I think

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/apparel.html

My personal opinion is that the CPSC has left the ability to define reasonable testing to us. I think that, bottom line, the point of our reasonable testing program is to be darn sure our final products are lead safe because, ultimately, we're liable if they're not.

What steps are required to be absolutely sure would, I assume, vary depending on what one makes and with what materials those products are made.

[Former_Member]

I'll start selling toys knitted from only pure, undyed wool, stuffed with pure wool and with embroided eyes instead of buttons... but I've got to wait for the official testing exemption for wool first :( :( :(

[rakubuttons]

Childrens items sellers should see this forum topic that had escaped me thus far http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6019814

[Former_Member]

I am new to all of this and just started my store her a few weeks ago. I make baby bis, blankets , burp cloths and other items. SO only the bibs would be an issue as I use metal snaps...I am still confused on this law...it really is very vague...can someone help fill me in?

[Former_Member]

From what I've read, anything meant to be used by children under 12 is an issue and has to be third-party tested :( even blankets or innocent knitted soft toys :(

[Former_Member]

that just seems crazy as I purchase all my items from the US just like the rest of us do. And we already do testing prior to it being purchased in the store.

[Former_Member]

Don't forget, item's like bibs are items that fall under "child care articles" and need to be tested for phthalates in addition to the lead testing...

[Former_Member]

happycherry
happycherry says:
After viewing the video with the textile companies showing no lead in the testing they did, and the majority of my items being made of textiles, would it be "reasonable testing" to use this information or get letters from say "Coats n Clark" stating they have tested items for lead?
-------
There's a PDF presentation from the National Textile Association on the CPSC website, stating that there is no lead in textiles. I have that copy & pasted into my shop policies--also many of my products are made with Coats & Clark products (Red Heart, TLC) so the CPSC video evidence regarding their testing would be helpful to me as well.

Speaking of the video, has anyone else had problems viewing it? I can get through about 10 or 15 minutes of it but then it shuts down and I get a message that the file cannot be played. What I can get through is only the comments from Chairman Nord and the lawyer (I forget her name). Not sure what's wrong.

[asherjasper]

My toys are made from wool. I buy dye free all natural wool roving from one supplier. My main supplier of dyed wool is in the process of getting all their dyes tested. I'm just waiting to hear back from them and I should be good to go until August.

[Former_Member]

I will be marketing my clippies and barrettes to girls 12 and over. I have already started retaking my shop pictures and will have a disclaimer in my shop policies section that states that although, to my knowledge, my products do not contain dangerous amounts of lead, they have not been tested at a certified lab and therefore are not intended for use by children under 12 years of age.

[Former_Member]

marking

[planfantastic]

I will be following TipTopLollipop's direction as well and only be marketing to girls 13 and over. Hopefully one day very soon (dyed) fabrics will be exempt and I can add children's items back. But if not...I'm preparing to move forward in a new direction.