CPSIA and Fabric Manufacturers

[downstairsDesigns]

Has anyone been able to get a response from Michael Miller, Alexander Henry, Free Spirit, etc. about their fabric, testing and certificates? If component testing really becomes allowable, getting those certificates would save a lot of Etsy sellers, but I haven't heard of anyone getting a response from any of the companies yet, I haven't either.

[Former_Member]

I actually talked to fabric.com today. Right now, I do not buy by the bolt, but the yard. I spoke with Robin. She said that unfortunately, she could not provide me with this information. They have been working frantically to get it for their customers, BUT many of the fabrics they receive do not even have all the fiber content available. She said asking for the lead content would be almost impossible. The glimmer of hope she did give me was that quilting fabrics or 100% cotton fabrics, they were getting great responses from the designers and should be able to provide this soon.

[Former_Member]

That IS encouraging.

[Former_Member]

Well,that is good news! Honestly, I just want a response from these people. I have written so many and no one responds.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing...it's helpful

[Former_Member]

I "spoke" with my rep from Michael Miller and here is what she said:

We’re still working on a general form that can be used to show proof that our fabrics are lead-free.



Right now we are e-mailing this document to the customers that need it.

It’s of poor quality I’m sorry.

However, it does represent testing for lead which is negative (in addition to other things).



We will send you the finalized form as soon as we have one set up.

[Former_Member]

Unfortunately, no matter what they give you their information doesn't fulfill the requirements for manufacturers. The certificates that they will give you will only fulfill the requirements for sellers of fabric. END UNIT testing is required, not component testing for any manufacturers. So even if you buy all of your fabric from Michael Miller and they provide you with a certificate for that fabric, if you then cut and sew that fabric into a dress... you have to have that dress tested by a third party facility and provide a certificate for it.

[Former_Member]

It's true that at this moment the certificates don't fulfill the requirements. But they MAY make ammendments, so having this infomation up front is USEFUL! Not to mention, when you go to speak with those who can make a difference, it is good to be able to SHOW them, I use xyz and the manufacturers say there is no lead, SEE??? And that gives more credence to the idea that end unit testing is UNNECESSARY.

So keep gathering information. It may prove to be your best asset.

[Former_Member]

Yep, kungfubambini is correct from what i've read/heard.

[Former_Member]

kungfuambini

You are correct the way the law is written now, however there is mumblings about them allowing component testing prior to assembly.

the law is going for a final review in January before it becomes official, and this is one of the things that will be reviewed.

The cottage industry community has made a big enough stink that they are listening, and one of the curators of the law even said himself (or herself, can't remember) that the far reach of this law was not considered when it was written and that they now realize that some things need to be changed.

Of course nothing is final in either direction until the final reading later this month. We will see the final verdict on Feb 10th

[Former_Member]

oh shoot, totally butchered your username, should have just copy and pasted it. Sorry.

[Former_Member]

I agree. I think there is a very good possibility of us seeing both component testing and supplier certification in the future. Hopefully in the near future.

I've been running into problems with regard to finding information from my suppliers as well. One supplier, for example, got back to me and said that the supply manufacturer told them that there was no lead in the product. Well, that's great, but it doesn't help me very much. National Nonwovens (a wool felt manufacturer) is sending me a letter about the safety of the felt I use. I have no idea what it is going to say, but assuming that it states that there is no lead in the felt, would that be good enough? And then there are the manufacturers/suppliers who just don't respond at all. ARGHHHH!

[Former_Member]

I also have a fabric shop on etsy - ruralfabric - so I called Westminster (manufacturer of Amy Butler fabrics) and within minutes they had provided me with an independent certification that one of the fabrics they had tested came bace ND (not detected) for anything...

Granted, this is only one of their fabrics and I'm sure it wouldn't meet the requirements, but it is a step in the right direction!

[Former_Member]

kungfo it was never stated that the certificate of proof from the supplier would be good enough but it is something nice to have and shows that secondary testing is pointless. We are not sitting here at home placing our items thru a lead machine or what have ya. Unless there is lead in fabric detergent and softners. If so then that is an entirely different issue and they should be held accountable and fined.

[HeatherJonesStudio]

froglegsandponytails , that's very encouraging. I'm glad they were able to get back to you so quickly.

[Former_Member]

the manufacturer of my organic fabrics is working on getting certification (beyond the GOTS organic certification) on the off chance that we're allowed to use it. Fabric manufacturers should be encouraged to do this...

[Former_Member]

But then what do we do about the little things like buttons, ribbon and velcro? I can figure out how to get fabric that passes if that counts in the end, but that's not the only thing that goes into clothing......

[LilBugsClothing]

I am not worried too much right now I don't think they are going to be able to enforce it right now it is too broad and vague and I'm not sure fabric is included in this act, the only reference I saw to fabric was in the text of this act was a reference to Formaldehyde and that does not even take effect for another 2 years:


SEC. 234. STUDY ON USE OF FORMALDEHYDE IN MANUFACTURING
OF TEXTILE AND APPAREL ARTICLES.

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General, in consultation with the Commission,
shall conduct a study on the use of formaldehyde in the manufacture
of textile and apparel articles, or in any component of such articles,
to identify any risks to consumers caused by the use of formaldehyde
in the manufacturing of such articles, or components of such articles.

[Former_Member]

Quote " The CPSC exempted wool, cotton, silk, gemstones and pearls in its proposal today. "

here's the article
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a0Xr2Iw1Vi_8&refer=us

[downstairsDesigns]

Thanks everyone for the info.

There is still a concern about the vote yesterday, though, as the original exemption text stated only natural cotton and wool, so any printed fabric wouldn't have been covered. But the Bloomberg article does simply say cotton- they haven't posted the final text on cpsa webstie, so I don't know if it is all cotton or did the article simply leave out the rest of the description.

And it is true that component testing is not currently allowed, but I am using the fact that I show all my materials have been tested already and are deemed safe (and provable) in my letters to my reps, to help show that component testing is reasonable and would still further their goal of safer goods without putting some many people out of business.

[M2MBoutique]

Michael Miller as of yesterday will be testing

[Former_Member]

M2MBoutique
M2MBoutique says:
Michael Miller as of yesterday will be testing
____________________________________

YAY!!

[Former_Member]

I spoke with the manager of our local JoAnne Fabric store. She had no idea what I was talking about, but after me explaining it all, she was concerned. She said she is going to look into all of this. I am stumped on all of this.

[Former_Member]

M2M, do you know if they will post their certificates, or provide upon request?

[LaurieRyan]

this law is making everyones life miserable and it won't even stop the lead issues as they come from china