European and Canadian standards

[Former_Member]

I have CPSIC certifications for the zippers and snaps used on the Snuggle Down. I have recently learned that Europe and Canada have different standards for testing, which require testing for all heavy metals, not just lead.

The snap testing was done in Europe, so this also covers the heavy metals standards for the snaps.

But I am sending a sample of the zipper paint (from the manufacturer) this week to a laboratory for the complete heavy metals testing, but it just occured to me that this may not be necessary, since the zipper pull would be located under the baby's arm, and not on a place where they could put it in their mouth.

Does anyone know about this? I'll probably send the zippers for testing anyway, since I want to be sure that ALL components of the Snuggle Down meet or exceed any country's standard, but I just wanted to clarify.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I don'[t know about the international standards, but according to CPSIA it would have to be tested, even though mom zips it up. It doesn't even have to come in contact with their mouth. If their hands come in contact with their mouth, or skin might touch the zipper or snap, then it requires testing. The law says "any" so they interpret any to many any possibility regardless of how slim or absurd or brief. But only if it's a children's item. They can suck on a regular pen, but if it has Dora pictures on it, it must be tested.

[Former_Member]

The zippers and snaps have both already been tested and are compliant per US standards. It's the international ones I'm working on now...It's tough too, because every lab I have spoken with has told me something slightly different. My head is spinning a bit.

[Former_Member]

lonepinedesigns,
If your wondering about international standards perhaps the best thing you could do is pop over to the International or Business Topics forums to ask if the sellers from specific countries have links to their governments' laws concerning the type of products you make. Basically even if the EU or another continental grouping has a general safety standard for a product, individual countries may have additional regulations or standards that must be followed as well if you choose to ship there. You only need to concern yourself with the countries you choose to ship to, so if your only shipping to say in continental North America and United Kingdom you need to know what American, Canadian, Mexican, and British laws are but you don't need to follow France's, Spain's, India's, or Japan's laws about your products until you're ready to start shipping to that country.

[Former_Member]

Many products that are sold in the US such as zippers are the same as the ones sold in Canada. If you feel that you need to double check, perhaps you could check with the Canadian distributor such as HA Kidd. (I think that is the correct name of the company)