EVERYTHING you need to know about the CPSIA

[#1]

Lots of folks are just discovering how the CPSIA affects them. This post is intended to help you find the info you need all in one place.

If you make any product intended for children ages 12 and under, you need to read this thread. In it you will find important links to give you information straight from the source, the CPSC.

First of all, you can go to the CPSC website and add yourself to their email list so that you will get all the updated information directly to your email. This is very helpful, as the CPSC issues new statements and guidelines quite often. You won't have to search for the answers because they come directly to your email!

Here's the CPSC website link to the info on the CPSIA
On the top left corner is a link to subscribe their email list.

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Here's 3 links that should give you all the info current info you need.

CPSIA guidance for small businesses/crafters
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.pdf

Tracking labels
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103policy.pdf

FAQ
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html#103q8


Please read these links before posting questions.
Be informed and happy crafting!

If you have other important links please feel free to add them :)

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

thanks, marking

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Thanks! Great post. I wasn't sure if I would have to test my tshirts (since I already know they are lead free). I don't have to! yay!

[Former_Member]

marked -- thanks :)

[rosirouge]

Thank you.

[HenriettaCorabelle]

marked.

[Former_Member]

What's so confusing is how on earth they expect people to be in compliance with a law that changes by the day. I HAVE spoken with a business attorney, and they're having trouble making heads or tales over much of this too. CSPIA-law is practically edging on being it's very own specialty within business law at the moment. It changes so often, and what's written is so vague and so open to interpretation.

We are small businesses. We are not big businesses, like Mattel (ironically it was some of their own items that ultimately led to this law, items containing lead pain, which has already been banned over 30 years), that can bribe our way out of compliance nor is it reasonable to expect small business, many based out of the home, to be able to afford attorney consultations on a regular basis when those consultations could easily exceed all the money we can make.

The government needs to stop trying to tear down small businesses and work on enforcing the laws already in place, such as the lead paint ban that has existed longer than I've been alive. New laws are no good when old ones already go unenforced.

The best we can do is SPIRIT of the law, which is, if it is realistically meant for kids, regardless of how it's marketed, or can be perceived as being for kids, do your best to make sure there's no lead in it (300ppm is close enough to none), and label it in some way that it can reference your records. For your records, even a notebook with a brief description of the item and what materials were used will do.

[Former_Member]

marking :) thanks

[Former_Member]

marking

[LilBabyThangs]

Marking

[Central64]

Marking - thanks for the info!

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

This might sound silly but I make nursing covers and nursing pads. These items are exempt because they are for the mother to use,correct?

Also, I would like to start making custom crib bedding sets. Would these items have to be tested if everything is cotton?

I'm still confused. :(

[Former_Member]

I noticed that there are a lot of hairbow gals out there, but I still don't know what this means for us. I have tried to only purchase materials which have been tested, but I like to use embellishments/buttons/etc. It is just so impossible! Do you know how this all applies to the world of hair accessories?

[Former_Member]

lovestruckbaby says:
This might sound silly but I make nursing covers and nursing pads. These items are exempt because they are for the mother to use,correct?

Also, I would like to start making custom crib bedding sets. Would these items have to be tested if everything is cotton?

I'm still confused. :(
_________________________________________________________
This is just my opinion:

Nursing pads would not have to be tested. They go in a lactating mothers clothing with no contact with a child.

Nursing covers may have to be tested. Only because they do come in contact with a child and aid in the care and feeding of that child. So even if the material is exempt for lead testing as seen on Table B at the CPSIA it may need the phthalates testing done.

Cib bedding would certainly have to be tested. Again even if the fabrics and notions are on the lead exepmtions list it will still have to be tested for phthalates since it aids in a child sleeping. Also there are addition regulations concerning certain parts like the bumpers or quilts that fit cribs. I don't remember the ASTM #'s but a quick trip to a local baby or nursery shop would help you because that info will be on the labeling for each different product. Take a notebook and jot down each regulation # and google it when you get home.

Also it would not hurt to double check if you are in compliance with any FTC laws or if your labeling is in the correct format for your current products while you are checking how the FTC may apply towards any new products you are planning on making. See http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/textile/bus21.shtm#covered

[Former_Member]

tinydiva says:
I noticed that there are a lot of hairbow gals out there, but I still don't know what this means for us. I have tried to only purchase materials which have been tested, but I like to use embellishments/buttons/etc. It is just so impossible! Do you know how this all applies to the world of hair accessories?
_________________________________________________________

It applies to hair accessories in the same sense of testing as all other items under the stay right now. If you can show a "good faith effort" in proving that your items are under the lead limits by either using exempt raw materials or supplies that you were able to get a GCC or COC for the nyou should be fine until Feb 10th 2010. That is the date that mandatory 3rd party testing on the final product goes into effect for all children's items not made of entirely exempt materials. Keep this in mind testing is retro-active so any product that was made under the stay but not sold will have to go for 3rd party government approved lab testing if you wish to continue to sell that item.

As for labels, which started Aug 14th 2009, headwear under at least the CPSIA is excused from the on the product permanant labeling. But you still need to label the item's packaging to the CPSIA's reqiurements. At least this portion of the law is not retro-active, if you can prove the item was made before 8-14-09, but does apply to anything created after that date.

Now if you are not marketing (tags or blogging) or describing or sizing your items as being for kids under 13 or showing them modeled on children & you truely feel your product would be used by more adults than children then you might be excused from the CPSIA's law. But on the other hand if the government or consumers in general view that your product is for kids 13 & under then you should test or have the COCs for now.

[Former_Member]

Marking. Thanks for the links!

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the links. Lots of useful information to be found here.

So much information that I can't see straight.

I am considering adding crocheted or knitted baby blankets to my shop. Under these rules it looks like yarn is exempt from testing, right?

I have also created some darling little booties I made out of acrylic felt with some embroidery on them. If I use a bit of velcro to close them, will they require testing?

So confusing.

[Former_Member]

jewelrydesignbyME

Thank you for answering my question! I really appreciate it! I am ordering some labels now to go on the bags I ship my bows in. And really, really hoping that this component testing thing works out! ;)

[Former_Member]

AH! According to Table B, I can use yarn and fabric without testing.

I am still wondering about the velcro though....

[VeryCarey]

marking, thanks

[TriedAndTrueDesigns]

Marking this for later. Thanks

[Former_Member]

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[Former_Member]

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