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]

Here's a link to one of my blog posts where you can see the holders:

http://gospelofkarin.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/consumer-product-safety-testing-and-pony-tail-holders/

[Former_Member]

Anybody?

[BabyMaesShop]

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[QuiltSALAD]

Must read.

[Former_Member]

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[Former_Member]

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[Former_Member]

These links were very helpful. Unfortunately, I learned that I can't sell the pony tail holders, at least as they were. Instead, I made some changes to them to target them towards adults with a weird sense of humor :-)

[Former_Member]

I am going to use Etsy as my 'checkout' for selling things I make. I will not be posting any of my kid's products overseas because it will jut cost too much. I have never even heard of any of this. There is nothing like it at all here. If I make it REALLY clear in each listing that it is not available overseas?

Do I still have to do all this stuff? i don't know how I would even access the information! Or is is a blanket Etsy policy that you have to do it to list it...

Some advice would be great!

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

CritterCraft, I found this in Etsy's policies. Your shop cannot:

"Contain items that have been identified by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) as hazardous to consumers and therefore subject to a recall"

They're covering themselves with that statement to prevent lawsuits, I'm sure. As for not selling overseas, I don't know. I'd search through their policies on that one.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for such a fast reply, Karin!

I forgot to say... The MOST important part.

I am not in America. I am in Australia. My kid- focussed products will not be coming there.

[Former_Member]

You're welcome, Critter! I think as long as you're not importing anything to the U.S. you're ok. Etsy isn't checking (as far as I know) for products that look like they don't comply with CPSIA. I think they just don't want to be sued, hence the disclaimer.

I don't think you have to sell to any place you don't want to sell to, but I don't know whether Etsy has any policies on that.

[Former_Member]

Well there are plenty of stores that won't send to me so I assume it is ok! I will just quote the crazy shipping prices if they push me. No-body can argue with the greed of Australia Post!

What I was planning on doing anyway (before I knew about this) was selling patterns for people overseas (not in Australia) to make the stuff for themselves. That way the consumer is free to choose what materials they like (organic cotton or ordinary cotton etc) and they can be sure of the safety of the contents of the final product.

If only people cared so much about what bird toys were made of! You see some seriously dangerous toys out there! Safe, fun and beautiful bird toys are my real passion and will make up most of my store.

Andie

[Former_Member]

Bird toys sound great! When are you going to open shop?

[Former_Member]

Some time in the next couple of weeks :) I am getting together photos and tags now. I have been wanting to do this for some time. I made my user name over a year ago but I wasn't ready time wise.

[Former_Member]

Can't wait to see it CritterCraft!

[Former_Member]

Are silk or dried flowers that are bought in Michaels or Joann's CPSIA compliant, I've noticed that some children's items have these as embellishments and was wondering. I'm about to become a granny and want to make sure what I buy is. Thanks

[Former_Member]

McIsaacArt,
Short of calling the manufacturer of the silk flowers yourself there's no way to know if the plastic, metal or the parts of the picks that are not made of fabric is compliant. True dried flowers sould be compliant unless the distributing nursery is adding metal or plastic to strengthen the stems. Don't just trust the manufacturer's say it's compliant if they're not willing to put it in writing then it may not have been tested with the approved CPSIA methodology. These type of items are not strictly for child or children's products so the manufacturer of the items is under no obligation to test to the CPSIA's standards or if they do decide to test that they have to use the approved by the CPSIA's methods.

[Former_Member]

Just wondered about the dyes that are in the silk flowers and some of those dried flowers are sprayed with colour. Thank you so much for responding.

[GatheringSplendor]

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[Former_Member]

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[Former_Member]

I love how government cloaks us in a protective nappy of legislation. It makes me feel sad that I played with lead toys, in real dirt, next to nettles, with a bee's nest nearby, and yet Monsanto, as it was then, got to leave behind a legacy of ***t in the environment not 400 yards from where I lived.

In IRELAND.

God bless America.

[Former_Member]

Thank you!

[Former_Member]

I've been reading for several hours, and think I have an overview of the regulations. I make hand knit booties and hats for infants and toddlers. From what I understand, the hats are exempt from tags, and shoes are - but are booties considered shoes or hosiery? If they aren't exempt, can I put the tag(s) on the organza bag that I 'box' the booties in?

I'm also looking at expanding into hand embroidery and smocking of manufactured items (mainly bibs and infant clothing) - if they are already tagged, do I need to tag for my embroidery thread and/or ribbons?

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

timothyanne,
Your confusing FTC regulations about care and content labeling with the CPSIA tracking label info. Nothing is exempt from the CPSIA tracking though there is a caveat that if the final product's function would be impaired by the tag, the label would substantially detract from the aesthetics of the product, or even when printed at the smallest readable print font that the required information would be bigger than the product then the tracking information needs to appear only on the packaging of the product and not on both the product and packaging.

[Former_Member]

Awesome! Thanks for the info... I sell some baby blankets and hats and was worried about this affecting me, but luckily the materials I use don't require testing and are fine to be sold.