CPSIA HELP? plz

[Former_Member]

so I haven't stayed posted on the cpsia stuff, after trying to figure it all out for a few month i gave up, but it hasn't gone away.
I do not have money to use to 'test' things out, so am i supposed to close down my store now??
are there paints and varnishes that I can buy in stores (hobby lobby, michaels, etc . . .) which would be ok?
I am at a loss and would love some help/support/advice!
Thanks
FLO

[Former_Member]

wow, wait, am I understanding correctly that after Feb 10th 2010 I cannot sell anything if it has not been tested first?!
There is no way on earth that I will ever be able to afford doing this, does it mean I will simply have to close my store??
Will I not be able to make my "treasure chest"???
Help plz?! I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed by everything I am reading!

[knitwit4ever]

After 2/20/2010, you can sell products for adults made of anything. For little folks (12 and under), you can sell items that are made entirely of the materials in the exempt list without needing to test them. That includes some metals, most fabrics and yarns, and many other natural products and some other materials.

I do not believe any paints/coatings are exempted and there are special rules for certain types of products so you will still have to do your homework. There's a good thread titled "Everything you need to know about CPSIA" that includes links to important documents and lists.

Best of luck. We've all been reading and thinking for months, trying to figure out what is and will be legal and safe.

[knitwit4ever]

Sorry, date had a typo. That was February 10th, not 20th!

[SewFunDollClothes]

I agree with knitwit4ever (and by the way knitwit, I love that name! lol) ... you need to go through that "Everything you need to know about CPSIA" thread to see how the law applies to your products.

It's still confusing as heck, but there have been some small improvements (like the things now on the exempt list), so you'll want to check out the links in that thread.

Good luck!!

[knitwit4ever]

Thanks, SewFun :-) Your name is...so fun, too!

[Former_Member]

thanks guys!
I have been going through that thread and it is helpful but still so confusing!
maybe the CPSIA should make a store of materials that they have tested so that we can use those!
and if I use paints, I only need to have it tested once right? and then I am good to keep buying that 'tested' brand of paint/varnish as much as i need? (if so then it's not too bad)

[Former_Member]

I believe that with paint, testing is required for each color so if you have color options, you will need to test all color options. Then maybe retest when the batch of paint/varnish changes but I'm not real sure on that last bit

[Former_Member]

see this storque article for discussion of painted children's items

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-overcoming-obstacles-and-fighting-for-change-5350/#comm...

[Former_Member]

thanks lilgirlca

i think for me it would total to about $825 minimum to test stuff out for 1 of my item.....
its not worth it!

[Former_Member]

I might as well just close my shop!
What can I do?!

[HouseOfLittleTomato]

From what I understand, for non-exempt products, it is per color, per batch. So if you buy two cans of 'crimson' paint, and they are different 'lot' numbers, they BOTH need to be tested... as written now. But read this article on the storque:

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-overcoming-obstacles-and-fighting-for-change-5350/

It looks like they MAY be changing the language to make component testing approved, "If as the CPSC has alluded to, component testing is allowed in the near future, items like Heather Flottman’s buttons will be tested by the manufacturer, and it will be affordable and easy for crafters to use them. "

-Quoted from the Storque article linked above.

[HouseOfLittleTomato]

FINGERS CROSSED! :)

[suzymstudio]

Thank you for this post,
marking for tomorrow...