I need information for some testing labs.
Can anyone help me.
I am in Grand Rapids Michigan.
I am getting a Rep and they need a certificate that my sock monkeys are tested.
I don't need durability test I need led testing. Even tho I know my sock monkeys don't have led in them, I still have to have something that says they don't.
If you decide to have you items tested after completion you would have to contact some of the CPSIA approved labs to see if any of them will do the testing on small batch manufacturing, request quotes, and ask how many samples they need per batch lot. See http://cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/labapplist.aspx for a list of approved labs. Lead testing can cost from $75 to $150 per individual base component used in the final product. So a final product that was made with 4 raw materials (ex. striped fabric, black thread, red thread, and poly batting) can run $300 to $600 plus the cost of the samples to get just the lead test results. The testing will only be good for items made from the same dye lot/batch # of raw materials. So say your able to get 10 sock monkeys from fabric with dye lot # 101 and 15 more from fabric with dye lot # 102 though you still used only a single spools of each color thread to complete all 25, samples from each dye lot of material will need to be tested seperately with tha above testing prices applying individually then certification written showing that both have their own set of test results.
If the retailer the rep is dealing for is willing to read through the documents on items that are exempt from lead testing it will save you a whole lot of wasted money since from a quick look at your products it seem the sock monkeys are made of entirerly exempt from testing materials. I suggest that you print this out http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leaddeterminationsfinalrule-draft.pdf highlight the passages concerning your raw materials to prove that the government already sees that certain items do not have levels of lead above their specifications and do not need further testing. If the retailer or rep is unable to accept that as enough proof of the lack of lead in your raw materials then bill them the testing as part of their final invoice.
The thread title gave me a chuckle too-but made me sort of sad at the same time. How crazy is it that somebody like you who makes a safe, absolutely adorable little sock monkey, has to get the thing tested for lead, when foreign countries are shipping much worse stuff here for our kids like cadmium. That's a crying shame.
this is completely off-topic, but every time I click on the forums and read the title "I would like to get my sock monkey tested" it just makes me chuckle. : )
it seems weird that they would make you test an item made from exempt materials. possibly it's a legal issue, but, as a sock monkey breeder, myself... it seems kinda pointless.
if you haven't tried, i would suggest presenting your rep with the exemption info to save yourself the costs.
Are you saying that you have presented the final rule of what is exempt from lead testing and they still are saying that it has to be tested for lead? If so, which exact tests are they wanting you to do?
Another monkey maker here...what about small parts testing? I was told by a lab that any change made to the monkey (ie using different socks) would require another small parts test. They also said you cannot get around small parts by saying it is not for children because it is a stuffed animal. I was not planning on saying that as my product seems a good fit for kiddos. Any thoughts? I use different socks for my monkeys - many are one of a kinds. Thanks
BadaBabies says: Another monkey maker here...what about small parts testing? I was told by a lab that any change made to the monkey (ie using different socks) would require another small parts test. They also said you cannot get around small parts by saying it is not for children because it is a stuffed animal. I was not planning on saying that as my product seems a good fit for kiddos. Any thoughts? I use different socks for my monkeys - many are one of a kinds. Thanks *********
Sock monkeys shouldn't need small parts testing. Like what the tail is going to come off and slip down a babies throat??? These fu &*(*&^king government sponsered labs will tell you anything to get you to send your "buy my crap" to them and pay them thru the nose to have them test whatever. Call them up and tell them that you make baby quilts out of exempt fabric, thread and batting and they will tell you that you will need total lead, lead in paint for your hang tags. and phthalates testing and if you change the fabrics you will need to test again.
they are in it for the money and will tell you anything because we are considered stupid.
