CPSIA compliant buttons - Anyone know a vendor that already tests?

[#1]

I'm almost out of buttons. After that one pair I had failed the XRF test I will absolutley not buy any buttons that have not already been tested. But I am having trouble finding suppliers that already do a tox-screen.

Anyone know anything? I'll be forever grateful... *bats eyelashes fetchingly*

[Former_Member]

butting...lol...I meant buttons ;)

[TheFairiesNest]

That's what I plan to use from now on princessbowbow.

[bobbinalong]

Do you all feel that there is a fine line between "buttons with lead" and the "little things" portion of the law.

I have been looking at www.recalls.gov and have been looking at why some products have been recalled. It seems that there are so many companies dealing with the buttons that come off and become a choking hazard. I wonder where we can look to see what the CPSC considers an okay button.

[bobbinalong]

You know you have to laugh. Once, years and years ago, I was teaching three-year-olds in my Sunday school class. One little boy brought his quarter for his offering into class. But he didn't want to part with it. So he put it in his mouth and would not give it up. He never did swallow it, but my hair began to turn white that very day.

How can we even guess at all the things kids will put in their mouths. You used to have to worry about rocks and dirt. I suppose they are all contaminated, too.

[Former_Member]

I have not had a lot of luck with the button mfrs either. So in the meantime I am staying away from metal anything, pearlized anything, painted anything and only sticking to hard plastic buttons.

Honestly, I find this whole issue of lead and phtalates for buttons ridiculous. Believe me, the first concern with a button should always be the security of it on a garment so that it doesn't pose a choking hazard, not whether it has lead/phtalates. Geez!

[Former_Member]

Does Dritz make buttons? They now have a website that you can check their compliance and print off GCCs on each of their products.

Look at this Thread:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6057708

Their snaps meet compliance per their testing. I know they are not buttons, but you might have to go down that road temporarily

[Former_Member]

I found a website that is attempting to consolidate CPSIA compliant suppliers willing to provide statements or certifications of compliance, lead testing results, etc.
http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/

I've used this site to find a compliant supplier for the barrette clips I use, but no luck with buttons yet. Haven't looked at all of them, though.

I sent an email to Blumenthal Lansing Co. this morning to request any certifications they might be willing to provide. They are a wholesaler, though, not a manufacturer. So, they would have to obtain these certifications from their suppliers. But, folks like us are their primary market. It may be a long shot, but in the interest of increasing sales, I thought they might go the extra yard and contact their manufacturers. If you have some time, you might contact them like I did with requests for supplier certifications. More requests from their target customers may provide additional incentive.

Their website is: http://www.blumenthallansing.com/default.aspx

[Former_Member]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it appears that the CPSA is poised to allow supplier certifications. There's a public comment period on this that will end in January I think. You can get the latest info on this (related to the kind of things many of us make) at:

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-updates-11102009/

[littlegirlPearl]

Hi Kiki, just saw your post.

Both Dill buttons is testing, and JHB is working through their line as well. I spoke with both at quilt market, and all you need to do is contact them, and they can set you up.

Dill tests everything already, and you can request the info on certain style numbers from JHB. Hope that helps.

[Former_Member]

MyKatyGrace says:
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that it appears that the CPSA is poised to allow supplier certifications. There's a public comment period on this that will end in January I think. You can get the latest info on this (related to the kind of things many of us make) at:

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-updates-11102009/
........

this deserves it's own thread if no one has started one yet- this is big news!

Meanwhile, any wholesaler should be able to provide you with a GCC, because they shouldn't be selling anything now that hasn't passed testing. At least you'll know it passes, even though technically you still have to test it. :-)

[trafalgarssquare]

purlsoho sells felt buttons and since they're a "natural" material (according to CPSIA), you should be able to use them without a problem.
Good luck!

[GiggleRainbow]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Craftparts.com sells wooden buttons in several sizes (and in bulk too), if anyone wants to go that route. The wood would be exempt.

[Former_Member]

marking...

[Former_Member]

MuddyFeet says:
Craftparts.com sells wooden buttons in several sizes (and in bulk too), if anyone wants to go that route. The wood would be exempt.
__________________________________________________________

Fine and good by CSPIA exemption standards but only if the wood is untreated or treated with an exempt material like beeswax. Once a non-exempt stain or sealant goes on the wood it will be seen as the same as a painted item by the CPSIA and subject to the portions of the law that concern painted items. Such as no stay of testing and the lowered 90ppm lead limit allowed.

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

So, am I understanding this right - If the manufacturer tests their product and can certify that it's compliant, then we can use it and not have to test it ourselves? Or am I wrong? The Snap Source is compliant, is it okay to use their snaps or do we still have to test? Also, as another commenter stated, if the product is manufactured in the US, then shouldn't it already be meeting the new standards??

[Former_Member]

teamlittles, the GCCs from the suppliers are only good until 2-10-10. For products we are selling on & after that date will require 3rd party goverment approved lab testing. That is unless significant changes come about through the CPSIA workshop taking place on 12-10-09 in DC. For now if the Snap Source is willing to send you copies of the testing certificates with the lead & other substance required to be tested for by the CPSIA listed in PPM or copies of their correctly formated for the CPSIA GCCs, you can use their testing/certificate infomation now as if you had done the testing yourself. After 2-9-10 all of the products will need a materially identical sample sent for independant testing if you wish to continue to sell those items. Regardless of where the raw supply, take a snap, comes from if it has mutliple uses of being able to use it as a closure on an adult only item the government classifies that as a general use item & the supply manufacturer can say their item is for general use as it stands and does not have to follow through with any testing pertainant to the CPSIA. It's once that raw supply is combined with other supplies that it becomes part of a child's product but in and of itself when sold alone the supply is not a product for a child.

[ChewChewsCloset]

Marking - great info!

[Former_Member]

That is great Faye! Hah! We all need to keep a sense of humor in this.

[Former_Member]

oops..was commenting on a much older post..sorry.

[Former_Member]

I am not so worried about closures like buttons or snaps. There are some very creative ways of substituting buttons with allowed materials. My concern is zippers. Sometimes zippers are just a must. Not sure yet how I will get past that. I think we will see some very creative design changes in children's clothing, now. Which is not a bad thing. Sort of a like a challenge.