Okay. I've been reading stuff all weekend and all its done is confuse me even more! So I am seeking help to make sure I understand and correct what I misunderstood. I would be a small maufacturer (I meet the criteria for it). And from what I understand, certain items are exempt from certain tests even in childrens products if you're a small manufacturer (textiles, precious gemstones, etc). Items that are inaccessible to children in the final product are also exempt. If a supplier of products has a CPC certificate for a component part, than, as a small batch manufacturer, it is not necessary to test that component as long as you have a copy of the certificate that shows it complies. All childrens items manufactured need a tracking label on there that shows the manufacturer name, place of origin, and identifying features (such as a sequence of numbers). Also, each manufacturer needs to keep a record of where component items come from to keep a record to make compliance easier.
And then I have a couple of questions. As a textile, would ribbon, silk, felt, tulle, elastic, and chiffon count? If yes to ribbon, would it count for ribbon that has been printed on, or ribbon containing glitter or foil on it (I'm thinking the last two won't). If it's okay to use a suppliers CPC to show the componets compliance, will the final product still need to be tested as a whole? Do you have to use a government lab as a small batch manufacturer to test items and is the cost typically per test or per product given? Also, since I make childrens hair accessories putting the tracking info on the product would not be practiceable so is it okay to put the tracking label on the packaging?
Sorry I feel like this is very long, but I know it's important to do this and do this right so I'd rather ask and be safe than not and be sorry.
