Finally! The CPSC is Asking for Our Opinon on the CPSIA

[#1]

Here's the link to the PDF file which states that those who make and sell children's products should email them with a list of the items that you use and think do not inherently contain lead so that they can consider it and possibly make it exempt:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/leadlimitsfr.pdf

There is also a list of materials that they had determined to be safe to use and sell, but we need to make sure to add to the list, like Polyfil, or I don't know what else. They're leaving it up to us, so email them when you can:

Secl01Determinations@cpsc.gov

Another note: there's section that states that the CPSC believes that this new act will not substantially affect small businesses, which to me means that if you fail to tell them what materials you use so that they can exempt them, then it's your own fault.

So email them until they grow weary. I'm so glad to see the little people stand up to the giants :D

[Former_Member]

Just contacted. This makes me nuts. I am not a manufacturer of yarn, I bought it legally in the US, shouldn't it already be lead-free?

[Former_Member]

WeeEssentials I know it is talking about the items. My anger was at the fact that the person in charge of the RFA has the power to say this bill MUST be revised for Small Business. They have the power and should be the one doing all the work. They were set up to stop goverment from making rules that would kill our shops. I understood that it may have seemed like I was saying in general, but what I really want is for them to walk in thier office with a big stick and give them a good old spanking and I don't even believe in spanking. BUT THESE TWO NEED ONE!

[Former_Member]

yes, butterflydesign, anything made in the USA has had to test for these things for years. NON-TOXIC labeling is even less lead then allowed in this law. No one suold have to retest something that already was tested and approved!

[Former_Member]

What about Copper? There are different grades of copper and finish copper products.

Copper does not have lead in it naturally, but they will put a coating of lead on copper wire for industral use, does that mean that copper wire for jewelry has lead or not. I just can't make head or tail out of what they are saying. Can someone who already is knowledgeable about copper tell me, because I am lost.

I know that lots of cooking pans are made with copper and they say copper wire is healthy for the body, but I still don't know if its still ok to make copper jewelry for kids and adults?

[Former_Member]

Marking!

[Former_Member]

* Titanium: 99.9% pure titanium.
* Niobium: 99.9% pure niobium.
* Gold: often has other alloys mixed with it to make gold harder, less expensive. Copper is usually one of the other alloys mixed in with it.
* Sterling silver: An alloy of 92.5% silver, 7.5% copper
* Brass: An alloy of copper and zinc

Is Brass allowed?

It looks like copper alloys is mixed in with gold and silver, why would they not allow copper to be used in kid jewelry?

[Former_Member]

I just emailed them about non toxic paint, dyed and undyed cotton fabric, polyfill, non toxic varnish, felt that is made 100% in the US and crayons.

[MarysGardenRosaries]

I think the problem with "base" metals is that they could be anything. I make rosaries and I've asked my suppliers what their base metal components are made of. Two were quick to reply that they purchase components that are lead-free. But, there are components on the market that are not. So, how do you know for sure? Raw copper and raw brass are both lead-free, but the raw state isn't what is always the end product.

I'm trying to come up with some products I can submit, but I'm having a pretty hard time of it. So far I just can't think of anything that I could call naturally lead-free. I'll probably still submit them anyway, let the CSPC make the ruling. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky! If not, I'll probably have to stop making First Communion rosaries and jewelry. Not many want to buy 2nd graders sterling silver and gemstones.

[Former_Member]

Has anyone received a response?

[SoCalHazeDesigns]

marking

[Former_Member]

Very informative. There is hope!

[Former_Member]

Marking

[Former_Member]

They aren't asking for a list of items we want exempted, they're asking for examples of materials that "inherently do not contain lead" and I don't know that most of what I've seen listed here would fall under that heading.

So instead I wrote asking them to expand "unadulterated materials" to include materials that have not been changed from their *tested* state. If I use yarn or fabric and thread that have already been tested, then those materials "inherently do not contain lead" because they are no longer just fabric and thread, they are CERTIFIED LEAD FREE YARN and CERTIFIED LEAD FREE FABRIC and CERTIFIED LEAD FREE THREAD. Or they should be.

I should ask my lawyer (alright, my mom, who was a contracts attorney for a long time and did a lot of work on government contracts) if the language being so vague in so many places provides more loopholes for us or for the CPSC.

[Former_Member]

Bondagetea...good idea!! Thanks

[Former_Member]

whether... "the language being so vague in so many places provides more loopholes for us or for the CPSC."

==================

The CPSC

[Former_Member]

thanks. Marking for later. (It's a zoo here right now).

[Former_Member]

hmmm...

I get my plastic pellets in 5-gallon buckets (I use them for adding weight to my designs) and I can buy which ever plastic I choose (non-pvc) but they contain neither lead, nor phthalates. I guess if you include the ones you can get at the craft store but I can't remember the brands!

embroidery floss, wool felt, wool/acrylic blend felt, acrylic felt, dyed (by manufacturer) wool roving and yarn. hand-dyed wool & alpaca yarn (acid dyes), colored acrylic yarn, dyed cotton yarn. Any item that conforms to ASTM D-4236 non-toxic paints, varnishes, stains, gesso, adhesives, glues, craft supplies. Synthetic and natural fleece, colored. Screen-printing inks.

[Former_Member]

Thank you handmadeheartloved! I emailed them just now. I listed all my materials down to the nitty gritty. Better for us to be covered right? Thanks for your very helpful info. I also signed the petition for the "Impact on Children's Apparel" on ipetition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/economicimpactsofCPSIA?e

Am crossing my fingers and hope that we are successful!

[Former_Member]

The idea is good, but remember, we have lost our rights to produce children's goods in the USA through our inaction. Let's stay active until there is a tangible, legal change to this- an ACT OF CONGRESS. Anything else is simply rhetoric, so contact congress.

Some of the news stories coming out with claims that the CPSC will do this or that for this group or that, look a lot like carefully placed PR bits to pacify us into thinking that everything is OK now, when in fact nothing has changed yet. Again, the ONLY way for this law to be changed is by an ACT OF CONGRESS. Period. Congress passed this law and now they need to revise it, so contact both the CPSC and everyone you can in congress until they take us 4real..

[Former_Member]

Cheers to you who are taking a stand! I agree with 3Hands2Hold that we can't just let this one go.

Happy weekend,

Traci Hudson

[asherjasper]

Thanks handmade - I just e-mailed.

[Former_Member]

I just sent my email! (along with a copy to my congress people)
I basically said (in a rather long letter) that anything that I buy from a fabric store in the US to make my handmade goods should already be certified and I should not need to certify EACH piece I make, especially since they are OOAK.
Let's keep up the momentum and spread the word!

[Former_Member]

I had an idea today conceived in a chat with other etsians..(it was a joint brainstorm) :)

Not sure if this breaks etsy rules but..what if after Feb 10th those of us affected, put some of our items in our shops and PRICE THEM with the testing price also in them? For example, a bib is 10.00 and testing for that bib would be, say 400? (thats being a low estimate!) then we price the bib at 410 and when ppl click on it (bc they'll be thinking..what the heck??) we have a synopsis of WHY This bib is priced that and whatt hey can do thelp?? :)
Just something Im thinking of!

[Former_Member]

marking

[Former_Member]

Hey everyone, just sending a list of things you want exempted is not going to be enough sadly. This is what it says: they need testing results showing the products you are wanting exempted do not surpass the lead limits....

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Any request for a Commission determination that a specific material or product contains no lead or a lead level below the applicable statutory limit must be supported by objectively reasonable and representative test results or other scientific evidence showing that the product or material does not, and would not, exceed the lead limit specified in the request.

A justification submitted by an interested party for a determination must include a detailed description of the product or material; data on the lead content of parts of the product or the materials used in the production of a product; data or information on manufacturing processes...