CPSIA compliant permanent marker?

[Former_Member]

Last question for today...

Are there any permanent markers that are CPSIA compliant and can be used to note lot number on a label?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Don't know of any. I use a coding system for my dating, and use thread to make a stitch or two under the date and year.

Do you make many at the same time of the same thing? If you make things in very small quantities or one at a time, you do not need a lot or batch number.

[Former_Member]

Almost everything I make is made to order. I make items one at a time but sometimes will make the same hat more than once in a month. Would I not be required to provide a lot number in this situation?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Nope, your not big enough. Make 500 in the month exactly alike with the exact same materials right down to the same dye lot number on your yarn, then maybe you should.

[Former_Member]

Okay, that is new to me! So no lot number but I still need to include month and year, right?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Right, the Gov doesn't care what info we use to come up with a tracking method, just so we can identify the item. They have had an AHAH moment and taken their heads out of the "sand" and realize that not everything comes from Macy's and Gimble's. They quite frankly had no idea that their were handmade micro businesses out there. SUPRISE!!!!!

[Former_Member]

These makers claim to be CPSIA compliant. Now just to figure out where to buy them.

http://www.drimark.com/index.php

These ones are also compliant, so are all their fabric mate markers. You can find the COC on this site as well.
http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/4741313-AA.shtml?lnav=markers.html

These are all of dharma's COC's that they currently have: http://www.dharmatrading.com/info/lead/

[Former_Member]

BabyChunkyCheeks
There's a couple of problems with the COC that Dharma gives for the Tee Juice Markers
1) The COC does not state what levels the lead phthaltes, cadmium, and the other "hazardous substances" in PPM the ink pens need to be tested for as a surface coating.
2) The date the test was reported was "Date Completed: 1/15/2009". Since then the allowable lead levels have dropped, though they complied on that date do they conform to the newer levels that went into effect on Aug 14th 2009.
Allowable lead levels:
pre Nov 2008 allowed 900PPM
Feb 10th 2009 allowed 600PPM
Aug 14th 2009 allowed 90PPM
I'm not sure of the exact allowable limits for all the other substances, since most of the focus has been on lead.

As for the drimark pens, again without the proof in the approved CPSIA format using CPSIA approved test methods whatever they write on their "about us" page is just words. Before buying either do more research to get the most current information that applies to the soecific batch or lot # of the item # your looking to purchase. Then check the CPSIA website to make sure the proof is in the correct format using the vetted test methodologies that the CPSC wants for surface coating (lead in paint testing).

[Former_Member]

Ugh. Thanks jewelrydesigns by me!

I have been contacting manufacturers everywhere and they say "yes, we're CPSIA compliant, here's the proof" and you're saying some might STILL be not right? Why are these companies spending money on testing but they're methods aren't even acceptable. This is even more baloney now!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

One reason, is that the law was written so that the Supply manufacturer was not responsible for testing. Only the end manufacturer needed to do the testing.

And it has taken forever for them to come up with testing protocols. Like, wouldn't it have been smart to have figured out how to test before they mandated everyone to test?? In the beginning I think there were only 2-3 labs in the US that were aproved for testing. If anyone contacted them they'd say " Huh, you want 1 product tested? We don't do that" But you could send your products off to China for testing. Does anyone remember where the bad products came from????? So I should have confidence sending my products to labs that were testing products that were lethel???