Can you all help me out with the cspia tracking labels?

[HookedByNurseSharon]

I am just starting out. I have spent all night reading the website and threads. I make crochet baby hats and will be ordering FTC care tags from the company listed in a previous thread. "nw....." . I am awful with computer programs. do any of you know if I can have the tag company print me the cpsia tracking tags? (with the company name, place etc? and then I can just add a tracking number to the tag with a cpsia regulated pen...if there is such a thing?

also how do you organize your tracking numbers. One number per hat? style of hat? brand of thread used?

[HookedByNurseSharon]

also is it true that hats for baby's under 3yrs old cannot have any buttons or embellishments due to the choking hazard (small parts)

[Former_Member]

Ok, not a lawyer so this is by no means authoritative, but...

Yes you can have your tags printed by someone else. I tried several methods of doing it myself and ultimately wasn't happy with the results from any of them, though I know for others that's not the case (and I've bought items that had lovely homemade tags). I had mine done by this woman:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ikaprint
She's in France but even with international shipping her prices were the best I found, and the tags meet a bunch of international regulations for children's products - not just CPSIA. Message her yourself and ask to know for sure, but she pretty much states it in her listings.

I had her put my shop name on the front, and the CPSIA info on the back, with separate FTC tags (since I use fabrics with various fiber content so I get the FTC tags from NW as well).

Now, as for tracking #, I'm confused about what you mean. You do have to have tracking info - which can be as simple as your email address and location (city, state). They also state you need batch number, but my understanding, and it has been stated on here several times as well, is that for us small manufacturers that's not the case. Unless you are buying 5000 yds of yarn and making 1000 of the same hats from it, you're not producing batches. So a batch # would be meaningless.

And then, of course, you need the date of manufacture. But if you've been reading the threads on here I'm sure you've run across the way many of us work with that.

I don't know about choking hazards in baby hats, since I don't make them:)

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Hats are exenpt from FTC country of origin tags.

The following items are not covered by the labeling requirements:7

•Upholstery or mattress stuffing (unless it’s reused — then the label must say that it contains reused stuffing)
•Outer coverings of upholstered furniture, mattresses, and box springs
•Linings, interlinings, filling, or padding used for structural purposes
However, if they are used for warmth, the fiber must be disclosed, (see p.11). In addition, if you make any statement about the fiber content of linings, interlinings, filling, or padding, they are no longer exempt.

•Stiffenings, trimmings, facings, or interfacings (see p.8 for more explanation of “trimmings”)
•Backings of carpets or rugs and paddings or cushions to be used under carpets, rugs, or other floor coverings8
•Sewing and handicraft threads
•Bandages, surgical dressings, and other products subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act9
•Waste materials not used in a textile product
•Shoes, overshoes, boots, slippers and all outer footwear. But, socks and hoisery are covered; in addition, slippers made of wool are covered under The Wool Rules (see p.6)
•Headwear (hats, caps or anything worn exclusively on the head). But, a wool hat is covered under The Wool Rules (see p.6)
•Textiles used in: handbags or luggage10, brushes, lampshades, toys, feminine hygiene products, adhesive tapes and adhesive sheets, cleaning cloths impregnated with chemicals, or diapers.

But I"m sure the customers would appreciate washing/cleaning instructions, so include them on a paper hangtag. I add a hangtag on all my items with my company name, website addy and on the back I write the style and size and price information. You could have care information written on the back.

Choking hazards are a consideration with babies under 3. Skip the buttons, unless they are too big to fit thru the testing tube.

You can do a google search on small parts regs CFR 1501.

You don't need an actual tracking number. It's a tracking label that is required. Date of manufacture is what is required, as Corrine says you don't need batch numbers, since the majority of us make very limited numbers of each item. I keep a screen shot of my listings or photo with attached paper with snips of fabric and embellishment information. in a clear page protector. All the information I would need I keep on this as to fabric manufacturer, date and price purchased and yardage with any design notes. I can also keep track of time spent on the project, and whatever else I might need. Everything fits nicely into a binder.

[HookedByNurseSharon]

The example below is what I saw in a previous thread. the number on the bottom of the CPSIA lab. (with the numbers and mixed letters). What is the purpose of this number/letter combo and since Im making hats does this mean I'm except from this?

Also....I use Red Heart Yarn and Caron Yarn . 100% acrylic. Would I put "of imported fabric on mine at well?" Sorry for the silly questions. I really want to do this correctly.


ex. from a different thread:
Then I print my own CPSIA label

FayeMaloneDesigns.com
Kinsman, OH, USA
Handmade in the USA
of imporrted fabric
11JFMAMJJASOND12

[HookedByNurseSharon]

caron yarn is made in Canada
red heart yarn is made in USA

So one label I would need to put: Product and Fabric Made in the USA

and the other:

Made in USA from imported fabric? aka Canada?

[RaggieGirls]

Sharon, the number letter thing at the bottom is last 2 digits of the years and the first letter of each month. Then you mark which year (in this instance 2011 or 2012 and which month, so if you made something in September of 2012, you'd mark the S and the 12). It's pretty clever because it allows you to have usable labels for 2 full years--no need to print a new one for each item.

I've used this on the ones I just ordered so my labels have 13JFMAMJJASOND14 (so good for all of 2013 and 2014). This is really helpful if you don't make tons of items and have to order label minimums.

[HookedByNurseSharon]

That is great information thank you so much!

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

The CPSIA label wants to know the location of the manufacturer, you are the manufacturer.

[HookedByNurseSharon]

so I would love it if nwtags.com could make my cpsia/tracking label. have any of you contacted them to see if they are compliant with the material/lead regulations? if not what exact questions do i need to ask them. Really though...if I make my own...it won't be good. I'm not computer davy. I checked out the person selling them on easy but it looks like they only do one side with only the company name and url. Do you know of any company if not nwtags that are cpsia compliant?

[HookedByNurseSharon]

I just went to nwtags.com and went to order quick care label. It says on the order form that they can't print the company name on the quick care label. Don't i need that according to FTC?

[HookedByNurseSharon]

Oops...ok beverly I just saw that hats are except from ftc labels so I'm off the hooked from securing that on my hats?

[BeachEndQuilts]

Hi Sharon, I'm researching this same thing for my new shop! There are actually two things (that I know of) governing what you must put on tags and attach to certain items. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) under the Textile and Wool Act, has rules which you can find at: http://business.ftc.gov/documents/bus21-threading-your-way-through-labeling-requirements-under-texti... If you click the blue <PDF> it will open a PDF document of the same information which is much easier to read!

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has rules under the Consumer Improvement Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) which you can find at http://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/tracking-label/

As someone else said, hats are exempt from labeling by the FTC, but, as far as I know, nothing is exempt by the CPSIA. I think you should eliminate all buttons and the like from your children's items.

I have purchased tags from a seller here on Etsy and I'm very happy with them. She is very responsive and more than willing to work with you on what you want on the labels. If you are interested, please contact me and I will be happy to let you know about her shop!

[HookedByNurseSharon]

Thanks Allison. Your link was of great help. I can't find under the FTC link where it says hats are except? Do you know where under this link I can find it?
I ordered the CPSIA labels from an Etsy seller tonight.
I'm also going to purchase hang tags from an Etsy seller with the name of my shop and url on the front and care instructions on the back.

It looks like a size tab does not need to me permenantly placed on the hats. Does this sound right? We don't need to register in any way with CPSIA do we....just make sure the tags are on the items?

[HookedByNurseSharon]

think I'm finally getting this.. (sigh)

[HookedByNurseSharon]

I found how to register as a small batch manufacturer...still wondering though if sizes are required to be on the crochet hats or can i just write the size on my hang tags.

[BeachEndQuilts]

I don't think I saw size mentioned anywhere as a necessary piece of information. On the FTC Threading your way through labeling requirements document, click the PDF button. When the PDF opens, scroll down to page 9 of the PDF, but it's actually page 3 of the document. At the top of the page it says "The following items are not covered by the labeling requirements". Under this line, there is a large box with lots of information. There is a large blue cap in the middle towards the bottom. Just to the upper right of this drawing, it's says "headwear" , This is where you will find that hats are exempt (but not wool hats). But, you will want to read this entire document and become familiar with it. For example, ALL bedding has to have the correct labeling, this includes crocheted blankets, etc.

[HookedByNurseSharon]

Thank you so much Allison! Just saw this. Very helpful

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Sharon, on page 1 of this question, I copied the excerpt from the FTC that covers the exemptions including hats.At the top of the discussion threads are the links to the FTC for everyone to go to, and everyone should copy them to their computors for future reference.

[HookedByNurseSharon]

thanks beverly

[aclhandweaver]

I was wondering about dates and location on labeling. Many Items I have made over time and my studio has been in several locations. I have always included most of the information the CPSC and FTC requires, but on removable tags. I also have tracking item numbers so I can find patterns and information.

Many of these regulations are new to me as I considered myself an artisan, not a manufacturer, and I'm sure many have similar issues with OOAK items and limited artwork. I did not realize that all labels had to be permanently fixed to fiber related items, as many artists only sign their work in some way, which I do with with simple sewn labels. Originally my market was individuals who know and understand the context of handmade items. Etsy has opened up a wider market while also bringing up issues that have not been confronted before concerning regulations, manufacture and international sales, to name a few.

Am I supposed to put location of my business currently on sewn tags, or location of where my studio was located when I made it, and if so, what happens when the studio location changes - must all tags be replaced or updated? Do I have to create 1 label with all dates possible (which would be a long list), or even 10 or more labels with different years & months and sew them to every item. Items I make also sometimes have blends of many materials and sometimes mill end yarns (which many weavers use) do not come with original information, so would all these items be considered recycled, and then would there will be issues for conformity with those items?

I think many of us in cottage industry and the crafting business are relying on the products and regulation of "big" industry to help guide us through the maze of making.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

As for dating your items. It is the date you complete the project. There is no standard government issue required for dating. I developed a simple alpha numeric code that works for 2 years. 13JFMAMJJASOND14. I make a stitch under the year and the month. Simple, easy and quick.

Location. If you are registered as a small batch manufacturer, then you can change your address on line with the registry easily so it is always updated. City state is what is needed, not your exact street address on your labels. If you have an online presence, like a website, you can change your address on your website, and can have a contact page on your website where you can be reached. That is the main reason for having a location, so that you can be reached if there is a situation and need to be contacted.

I also took a quick glance at your store. Wish I had more time to spend going item by item. You make me want to get out my 8 harness loom and use it again! My suggestion is to make sure you have a copy of the FTC rules, carefully go over them making note of items that you sell. If they don't require the labels, forget about them. There are many exemptions, like your hot pads There are also those halfway exemptions, like those that are exempt from labeling UNLESS you mention the fiber content in your advertising. Do you need to advertise in your listings that something exempt is cotton, if you don't need to? You can include instructions with the sold item. As to mixed yarn items, remember it's by fiber weight of the total. I didn't notice any mixed fiber items, but I didn't look at every listing. So weight all the yarn, then each type individually. If you use mixed lots and really don't know the fiber content, then the % of "unknown fibers" is usually used. If you can direct me to a particular listing then maybe I could help more.

[aclhandweaver]

Thank you Beverly! I am going through my items and trying to figure out how they need to be improved. Do you happen to know about variations on regulations for short runs, of less than 150 of the exact item?. I have heard of something to that effect somewhere and am trying to find out more about it.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I'm not sure of any regulations covering quantities like you mention. The only allowance for small batches, that I am aware of is registering as a Small Batch Manufacturer. If you find what you are looking for, please let us know with links please.

[aclhandweaver]

I am continuing my research, Beverly!

As for fiber content, it is a selling point for handmade natural fiber goods so I do note it in advertising/descriptions. The problem I face is having so many different items is small qtys made over long periods of time/yrs, but each may have to be individually labeled. Some of my items are mixed fibers both individually int he yarns and in combinations of yarns, for instance, some items have cotton warps or linen wefts. Many weavers also use mill end yarns that are not always correctly labelled on reused cones, so contents might be unknown and cannot necessarily be traced back to manufacturers. I do try to keep records of all my pieces as best as I can and will try to get some GCCs from some of the yarn suppliers, though they may not be the manufacturers!

Labeling and paperwork seem to be taking more work and more time from the creativity side of our artisan work, and this time and work also adds to costs, which can make result prohibitive to many who already think handmade is priced high. Those making large batches may be able to make more profit from more items and potentially less hazards in proportion (we hope). While I completely understand the needs for compliances and regulations, it seems like there should be some more consumer consideration for handmade artisan craft industry or it will be buried by regulation it cannot afford and become extinct.