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

[Former_Member]

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*

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Wow, I don't know either, and I use a lot of buttons in my designs.

[Former_Member]

Whew, that is a problem. Once you test one group of items, you'll eventually run out of stock and have to purchase an entirely new group which you will then have to test all over again only to eventually run out of stock and have to purchase again only to test again and it goes on ad nauseam ---you'd however still have to test seeing as how a supplier's tox screen won't substitute your own testing. Even if they were able to be an adequate substitution, unfortunately most suppliers do not plan to test as they feel that they are not specifically making buttons for children under 12... therefore they're passing the responsibility of testing onto those who purchase their products...hmmm, You could always make your own closures from some of the fabric that you have already--frog closures and the like.

[Former_Member]

Sigh. I know this will affect a lot of us. I will be writing to some button manufacturers and asking but I ususally just buy lots on here. Just though someone might already know....

[BarkingDogDesigns]

I have been corresponding with darice.com about their animal craft eyes. They have an extensive testing program. They also sell buttons but do not carry a huge selection.

http://www.darice.com/ecom/QuickSearchResults.aspx?catId=-1&criteria=buttons

[Former_Member]

Ittybitty I know the supplier testing won't be adequate unless the law is changed. I am hoping they amend to allow for supplier certification. But really I was so freaked out that some of my buttons failed, I really just don't want toxic buttons in my house, KWIM?

That's a good idea about fabric closures - I have thought of redoing one of my designs to allow of knots at the shoulders instead of buttons....

[Former_Member]

Thanks barkingdog! That's a great lead! I'll look into them. :)

[Former_Member]

I think a whole lot of us will be doing fabric closures, I'm working on setting up an XRF testing day for myself in the next week, but when it all comes down to it---it just gets too expensive to do that more than once a season---so there goes replenishment of supplies and/or spur of the moment supply purchases.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I've got it!!!! For every garment made only from exempt cotton fabric and tested thread, send a length of said tested thread, and instruct the mom to "sew" the garment closed onto the child! No harmful lead filled closures needed. When the mom runs out of thread, she will have to reorder a length and you will have another sale.

[Former_Member]

Faye...that's hilarious!

[Former_Member]

Looks like JHB is in the process of testing some of there buttons and this should be completed within the month. Blumenthal Lansing is getting back to me.

[Former_Member]

But my understanding is that no matter how many times the buttons have been tested, once they are added to any childrens item, the entire product will still have to be tested by the final manufacturer - Us. Is that not correct?

[FloraAndFaunaKids]

yes, 3craftyladies, starting in August. Until then, a 'reasonable testing program' can be xrf testing of components.

[Former_Member]

FayeMaloneDesigns says:
I've got it!!!! For every garment made only from exempt cotton fabric and tested thread, send a length of said tested thread, and instruct the mom to "sew" the garment closed onto the child! No harmful lead filled closures needed. When the mom runs out of thread, she will have to reorder a length and you will have another sale.

Faye I'm LMAO! That's so funny!

[Former_Member]

April your shop is so cute! I LOVE this dress: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19398788
Are you planning on XRF testing, if you don't mind me asking. :)

[Dannielle]

I don't really deal with buttons, so I don't know. But, are any manufactured in the US? That would where I'd start looking. US mfgrs should not be using lead in their production and would likely be proud to proclaim it.

[Former_Member]

Anyone else?

[Former_Member]

oh dear oh dear, thanks for asking I need to know too

[Former_Member]

Someone in an earlier thread said that they contacted their button manufacturer and their buttons are lead free. You might just want to search buttons in general, find something that you like and contact the manufacturer. You certainly would find someone making lead-free buttons.

[Former_Member]

Holy crap Raegun this is so cute! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17055309
I just bought a similar vintage pattern but haven't made it yet. I wish sunsuits were an acceptable clothing option for adults. :)

[BarkingDogDesigns]

Here's contact info for Blumenthal Lansing:
loliveri@blumenthallansing.com

They carry La Mode, La Petite, Streamline, Favorite Findings, One Big Button, and Classic brand buttons, and other findings.

[Former_Member]

They are going to have to amend to the Supplier level of testing per item they sell - because otherwise it's crazy dumb.

FYI - if you are looking ever for pin back buttons check out http://www.affordablebuttons.com at least they have CPSIA supplier compliance documentation. We ended up ordering our LionSight band buttons from them.

Peace

[Former_Member]

I am having the same issue. You may have already checked this site, but they update it regularly. The last I checked they had a Snap manuf. that was compliant.

http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/

[TheFairiesNest]

The problem with most buttons is not going to be lead but whether they have been tested for phthalates. Most buttons made in the US will be made of plastic and all plastics are subject to testing for phthalates.

[Former_Member]

How about natural butting like wood, shell...etc?