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]

Thanks for the link!

I was reading on some natural wood finishes. One of the options is from a nut tree, which I don't think I would use bc the oil can effect people with nut allergies.

Things are getting complicated, so I will probably not use buttons in my dresses or make them "sew on your own buttons"

[Former_Member]

Sew on your own buttons is a great idea! You could even wait and see if people want to use something else like hook and loop and only do a button hole if that is what they request.

[Former_Member]

So, those wood buttons I mentioned above are polished with tung oil. Although so beautiful and all natural, the oil is derived from nuts. People with allergies can have problems just from touching the oil.

[Former_Member]

Some Etsy toy makers finish with beeswax. Maybe a custom order could work for you. I know some of the toy makers are very aware of stuff kids might put in their mouths. I have even seen some wooden teethers. Maybe see what they use?

[Former_Member]

Hmm... Another thought--Do wooden buttons have to be finished? I have seen some unfinished things for kids and they look pretty durable. I know washing is going to be an issue, but we have unfinished wood on our sandbox and it has been outside for 4 years all seasons and it is still there. I know wood will eventually rot, but maybe not over the reasonable life of the garment. Unfinished wood is certainly exempt. It would look very natural and pretty, but I don't know how it would stand up. But maybe...

[Hannalah]

Someone on another thread (the one about CPSIA labeling) said that acrylic buttons don't need to be tested, as acrylic is exempt--but is that right? I thought there were the dreaded phalates (sp)?

[Former_Member]

I was thinking of beeswax...maybe a little more looking around. I will post if I find some.

Hannalah, I didn't see acrylic on the exempt list. Even if the acrylic was exempt, which I doubt it is, the coating would be an issue.

I think I'm going the sew your own button on route...until I can find someone who sells a compliant button. I think that sewing your own button would give you a warm fuzzy feeling as if you had a small part in the making of your child's clothing. I don't know bc I don't have kids and I don't know if people care about that, but I will play it up as if it's amazing. :)

[Former_Member]

I found a supplier who I think might be CPSIA compliant

http://www.snapsource.com/whatsnew/whatsnew.php

That's the link for their CPSIA statement. You would probably have to contact them to get all the official stuff.

Fingers crossed these will work. I could do snaps...no problem.

[Former_Member]

Oh, and the company also has a small selection of buttons.

[Former_Member]

I contacted them today. FIngers crossed, too!

[Former_Member]

Great. Please let me know what they said.

But, I'm still worried about the whole small parts things for children under 3. I heard that items are exempt if they are functional, like a snap.

If not, then how does any company legally make a one-piece?

[Former_Member]

I just got a reply back from bluementhallansing; apparently they test all of their materials individually.

I already received the test results for the nylon that they use in the buttons that I use for my boy's shirts, and she said she'd get the results for the dyes that they use in them to me tomorrow.

fluttermill... There's a special exemption for buttons and snaps on the small parts regulation. They recommend doing a strength test to make sure that they won't come off easily and become a choking hazard.

[Former_Member]

Hidden, thanks. I was thinking of using snaps for the younger ones...snaps are much more difficult to come off. I am just thinking I would make dresses for under 3T.

Thanks for the Blumenthall info. Great news!!!

[Former_Member]

Well I heard from Snap Source and the seem to want to help, but I don't know if I have all of the info I need yet. They sent a letter stating that all of their items are compliant and meet CPSIA standards and reverence specific parts of CPSIA. But they make no reference to actual testing results, batch numbers, or manufacture dates. But I haven't bought anything yet so I don't know if this info is forthcoming. I think I need to contact them again. What does a GCC look like? Is it a standard form?

But they show a lot of confidence in the security of their snaps from the small parts standpoint and offered to test it with my fabric for durability. I don't think they would come off and make a choking hazard.

I am using velcro in the mean time. I will continue on this and share any good info.

[Former_Member]

I actually am thinking of making my little sundresses/pinafores with a small, short tie.

Less hassle for right now. I love the way buttons look but I am just not at a point right now where I can jump through a bunch of hoops just to use buttons. But if I found an all natural supplier who didn't use tung oil or who already tests and has the right papers, then I'll use buttons.

I just have to make things simple.

Green, you made me think of a great point. I keep track of where I buy fabric and who makes it, but it's not complicated bc I would know by the date on my item and the print design and a quick reference to my database where and when I got it.

But, to correlate my batch numbers of my items with the batch numbers of buttons, well that is just going to get complicated for me. Plus, I would constantly be printing tags instead of just once a month. I am trying to keep all of this as simple as possible.

Is there such thing as a fully-covered button....haha. I've read that if the component in question can't be touched by a child, then it doesn't have to be tested. If I read that right...I have spent many late nights pouring over this stuff. My husband can't even believe it, and my grandmother said she is so glad that she retired from being a seamstress.

Still thinking of sewing on your own button thing. Might post it in the critique section to get some feedback bc I think a selective but yet wise and informed :) group reads here

[Former_Member]

Hidden, so Blumenthal has all the proper paperwork they can send you? Please keep me updated. I appreciate all of this help!

A few questions....

If they are okay to use, do I have to get new paperwork for each batch I buy from? Or, just paperwork from each design of button (ex: paperwork for x" red and paperwork for x" yellow, etc.)?

Is it okay just to buy them from a fabric store as long as you have the matching paperwork from Blumenthal?

[Hannalah]

Just found a supplier at a doll clothing wholesaler who sells 11mm and 12mm CPSIA compliant buttons in various colors. The black and pink are just what I need! I just emailed them to ask about getting certification:

http://www.shopsophias.com/index.php?target=products&product_id=2349

[Former_Member]

I've heard of them. I don't have a tax ID right now...only state sales tax. Think you need one to shop there.

I posted about sewing your own button on thing in the forums...not such a big hit. I don't think it would go over with most people.

[Hannalah]

You do need a tax ID to buy at Sophia's, but they will send COCs--her reply to me was:

Yes we can send copies of COC's along with your order - just make a note that you would like us to include
them at the time you are placing your order. Thank you! Tamara

SOPHIA'S
610-647-2118
610-647-7828 (f)

They also have a limited supply of zippers and such.

Also both Oriental Trading Company's buttons are CPSIA approved (see their "safety" page") and DIll's replied to me that all their buttons, except the ones with rhinestones, are tested and safe. I haven't followed up yet with Qs about COCs--

[Former_Member]

Oriental Trading?? Really?? That is a big surprise.

[Former_Member]

I found a seller who sells beautiful wooden buttons finished with linseed and beeswax. The buttons, especially when ordered in larger numbers, are pretty reasonable.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/INGUTE

[Former_Member]

Problem: you can't wash wooden buttons.

[HappyScrapzStudio]

I contacted coverbuttons.com yesterday regarding the aluminum covered buttons they sell. They immediately emailed me a copy of their test results and were great about it. Just thought you'd like to know if you are using covered buttons in your products. They sell all sizes and you can purchase anywhere from 25ct. to 100ct packages.

[HappyScrapzStudio]

Oh, I just went to the store to try and find some buttons that seem to be compliant. Dritz does sell buttons (mentioned earlier) aimed at children. I bought a set and on the back it does say not for children under three, but they also have a website, the country they were manufactured it, the lot numbers. They look like they are compliant, so I'm going to try and contact them. Definitely more expensive though.

[Former_Member]

LCC, thanks so much! I actually just thought about Dritz last night. I will look into it. Thanks!!