Let's compile a list of suppliers who test!

[#1]

Let's help each other out.

I am hoping that I can rely on the supplier's component testing of the fabric, buttons, thread, velcro etc. I realize that the law is not written this way, and I am supposed to redo it on the final product, but I am hopeful for an ammendment. In which case, I want to have all my ducks in a row.
Today I was chasing down numbers of suppliers. What a headache! All I got today was that my buttons are tested and OK for children. Great...I can make something out of buttons only?
Phone numbers and a person are rediculously hard to find. If this law does get changed, do you think that the suppliers will make it easier to get this information???? I have spent the WHOLE day on it!!!!! Anybody out there who has actually gotten a hold of person and knows some numbers to call would be greatly appreciated. I can't even figure out who makes a ton of my fabric because I bought them at Joann's who doesn't mark the bolt. Even the manager couldn't find it for me!!! How sad is that? Even if I knew of a couple of fabric makers that tested, that would help, because at least I could use them. I would just switch fabrics to companies who have tested.
I need information on:
Beads (people who bead in CA, how do you get this information????? I know you have to have it by law.)
Velcro
Cotton Fabric
Ribbon (anyone gotten a hold of Offray?)
Buttons (I did get a contact here who is emailing me the cert)
Elastic
Felt
Fleece

Let's help each other out. Don't be stingy? Who did you call? Who was helpful? Who wasn't? It would help us all out greatly!

I'll go first:
Buttons:
I got a hold of Favorite Findings and La Petite Buttons.
The website is www.blumenthallansing.com
I found a link for phone numbers and I called the rep in CA, Carlos Dashti, who actually answered. He said that the line Favorite Findings (sold and Walmart and Joann's) tests because it's used on children's items. He was happy to email me the results. His number was (213)400-2929. They have other reps for other areas on there too under the contact page.

[limondulcekids]

JStride says:
I saw mention to MSDS sheets on here and I thought I would add my 2cents worth. My background is in health care compliance and regulation and as a result I am very familiar with MSDS sheets - hospitals (and factory's) have to have one for EVERY single product they have in the building - in summary it does tell you if there is any hazardous component to a product and also guidelines on how to clean it up or take precautions on how to deal with it (such as masks, gloves etc). For glues etc. I think it would be a very good start and would show that you had taken action to check that you weren't using anything hazardous. While I was working in the hospital, it was very time consuming to manage all these MSDS sheets - collect them, keep them organized............

Thank you for your post.

[Former_Member]

I have copies of certificates for
fabrite PUL (both 1 and 2ml)
kam snaps

They are not online, but I can email them to you if you need them. Just convo me. :)

[Former_Member]

after watching the video... i'm adding coats & clark back into the blog. with a link to the video and pdf.

[Former_Member]

staceyjean: I asked the person to clarify where they found this information, as I was thinking along the same lines as what you stated with saving the documentation. I know come Aug. I will be out of luck if something isnt changed, but until then....

[Former_Member]

primandsassycottage says:
there is no way I can do xrf testing right now, does that mean I have to shut down after feb 10th? I thought having the cert. for my supplies would hold me over until Aug. Thanks. Kathleen

Actually there is some evidence that component testing would be acceptable. See the top of page 2 of this document, it is a letter to the publishing industry...but if its ok for them its ok for me. If basically says that a reasonable testing program would be component testing my the manufacture. The letter can be found at http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/advisory/323.pdf

[Former_Member]

Premier Prints emailed me and said they do test their fabrics.

[Former_Member]

all of you that work with textiles need to watch the apparel industry's presentation.

lead hasn't been used in dyes since colonial times [?] and the reason is, it's not effective.


http://www.cpsc.gov/vnr/asfroot/apparel01222009.asx


this is good information for you to know, it will help when you write your letters.

[Former_Member]

I heard back from Rhode Island Textile Co yesterday about the elastic:

Thanks for the email. We do not presently test our products with regard to the CPSIA. We sell to many industries and in situation such as these where special industry testing is required, it is typically our customers who do the testing on their own.

Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Regards,
Michelle Auclair
Customer Service Manager

I replied back to asking if, even though they don't test, if she could assure me that the elastic is lead-free (even though we all know it is). I have a point to make. When we make diapers, the elastic is not accesible, for whatever reason. Wasn't there something about components being allowed to contain small amounts of lead as long as they were inaccessible to children?

I mean, really, who lets their kid chew on diapers (although, for the record, my dd was helping me fold/put away diapers from the time she was about 2.5) anyways, I'm rambling.

I will keep you posted with Michelle's response.

[Former_Member]

the ribbon retreat has a page dedicated to CPSIA now:

https://www.theribbonretreat.com/custom/productsafety.aspx

[Former_Member]

I'm still waiting to hear from American Apparel. Has anyone gotten their official response or certification?

[Former_Member]

oh, and i got a letter from target today.... i put it on the site.

http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/2006/01/target.html

[Former_Member]

Any word on elastics that are CPSIA compliant?

[Former_Member]

scire4 said:
Any word on elastics that are CPSIA compliant?
__________

stretchrite isn't tested...however sanity is working on getting an official statement at least that it is lead-free (obviously it is) so that would be something.

Also we need to check the exact wording of the bill because she said she thinks that there is some kind of exception for a material that the child cannot touch (ie, elastic that is totally enclosed inside a diaper).

[birdylegs]

So far I'm taking Alexander Henry and Stretchrite off my supplier list. Neither of them seem willing to test and I think they vastly underestimate the effect this will have on their business. I appreciate that companies like Michael Miller are so quick to respond to our concerns.

[Former_Member]

Thanks lilbees!

[Former_Member]

I am still waiting to hear back from Wrights on the elastic, I will contact them again.

[BrickHouseFabrics]

I have talked to several fabric companies. They have not tested things. Some have said their LABS are tested and clean- that is not the same thing! And some have said there is a concern about the fabrics coming in from China (that is most of all fabrics) might have lead in the dyes. And some have taken a wait and see what happens attitude. I don't think, unless you get a certificate from a company, in writing, a real certificate, that you can take it things are safe. I would say unless you get it in writing consider them UNsafe.

[PearlyGrey]

Was there any word on Dritz snaps? I tried to contact several times with no response.

[Former_Member]

Now this is do-able...Question though...If you're buying your fabrics from etsy (japanese, michael miller, amy butler...) do I contact those companies that supply the sellers here or just the sellers??? Yikes! Thread? Fusible web?

This is a great thread. Marking!

xo

[Former_Member]

Thanks LilBees. The contact I have at Rhode Island wouldn't even give me any kind of statement stating that they are lead-free, even though we know they are.

I know the exception was made for electronics, else none of the video games and game consoles on the market would pass, the circuitry has lead in it, as part of how they work. I believe it was all across the board though, that if the lead was inaccessible, it was ok. I mean, honestly, we all KNOW elastic is lead-free (latex free is a different story), but I would say if elastic is topstitched into a casing (as on my All-in-ones) it is inaccessible, whether it contains lead or not.

[Former_Member]

I just saw this posted in another thread, but thought it should be posted here too:

trosper says:
Just got an email from a major yarn company... sounds promising.


--------------------------

Hi

We are aware of the new regulations and we are working hard to understand what the requirements will be. We will be in compliance to whatever the new regulations are. There is a lot of confusion on the details; we hope to have this sorted out in the near future.

Your Friends at Bernat.

Doris Erb

Website, Pattern and Yarn Support

Spinrite LP

www.bernat.com

[Former_Member]

What can I do when I use mainly vintage buttons on my items?
I have no way of knowing who the manufacturer of all of my fabric and buttons are.
Many of them are vintage and I don't buy the whole bolt of the new ones.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Convo me please.

[CedarwoodandRose]

Don't the final products have to be tested also? Even if they are made with all compliant materials. yes- ridiculous

[Former_Member]

I use the buttons and Scunci pony o holders. In fact all the things I use are the scunci products. What about them and the issue?
I do use fabric to which I buy alot of mine at Hobby Lobby.
I do use others also. I am listening for all the information that you all can give me.
Thanks alot for this thread.

[Former_Member]

Polartec sent me their oekotex certificate.

and a statement.

http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/2006/01/polartec.html