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.

[Former_Member]

i don't think so, mom... i haven't seen anything velcro specific.

[OgsploshAccessories]

Maybe we should set up shop testing materials. Now that is guaranteed to be successful!

[birdylegs]

I'm betting if this law is changed to allow supplier testing some of these companies will change their tune. Either that or they'll be losing a lot of business.

[Former_Member]

Agreed birdy legs.
Yes, I have supplier for velcro who sent me an actual lab test for their velcroe! No lead. Shocking I know. The Faswell corporation, but you have to buy 50 yards at a time. Velcro USA inc. was not interested in testing and would not send MSDS sheets or lab certs and that's why I moved on to another velcro supplier. Convo me if you want me to email the actual lab data.

[Former_Member]

i need to add that to the blog... sugar. thanks!

[Former_Member]

oh, i do have them!

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

[Former_Member]

they were under fasteners and notions, i added velcro to the tags.

[RebekahsBowtique]

Ribbons and Bows Oh My has been WONDERFUL and sends you all their testing results to print out. They have tested everything from the clips, headbands etc...and supplied us with all the safety data sheets. There is no lead in polyester ribbons :)

[Former_Member]

happywhosits says:
Here's the response I received from Bernat yarns, who are based in Toronto:

"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."

Eileen...

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

This is word for word the exact response I got from Paton's yarn...I wonder if they are part of the same company??

"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 Patons .

Doris Erb
Website, Pattern and Yarn Support
Spinrite LP
www.patonsyarns.com

[Former_Member]

I don't know if anyone else got the same document, but I just got a reply from Moda with an attachment of their test results (passed, naturallement!).

Regular fabric: http://sz0108.ev.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/?id=12980∂=3&auth=co&disp=i

Coated fabric: http://sz0108.ev.mail.comcast.net/service/home/~/?id=12980∂=2&auth=co&disp=i

[BarkingDogDesigns]

thecleverkitty says:
happywhosits says:
...I wonder if they [Patons and Bernat] are part of the same company??

-----------------------------
I checked the contact info on the Patons and Bernat websites. They have the same mailing address.

[Former_Member]

No updates on elastic?

[Former_Member]

i got a couple things today...

- amy butler has added a link "new" to her site, that has CPSIA info. i also received test results from them. http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/2006/01/amy-butler.html

- i got 5 test results from moda, which i zipped and privded a link to: http://cpsia-compliance.blogspot.com/2006/01/moda-fabrics.html

- weir has added info to their website, as well: http://www.weirdollsandcrafts.com/safety/product-safety.html

- DMC sent me another "we'll get back to you soon" email. i'm being forwarded around.



i will work on the suggested suppliers in the blog, soon. and delete those comments as i get them tackled.

thanks, to those of you that are staying on top of this.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for compiling the list, StacyJean. Most of my materials are covered, there. I just wrote to Hobbs to inquire about their batting. I use their 100% unbleached cotton batting. We'll see what they say, and I'll share what I find out.

I also need to figure out what to do about my quilts. I make them from recycled quilt tops... antique and vintage. And Great Grandma Nettie has been dead for more than 10 years. She ain't talkin'. And the church ladies who donated clothes to her for her quilt top-making endeavors, they're nowhere to be found.

It's a sinister conspiracy.

Sorry, I just spent two days in a frigid house with no power and I'm a mite bit punchy.

[Former_Member]

Andover fabrics contacted me...they too are lead-free:

Thank you for your inquiry. Andover Fabrics Inc works with the finest mills throughout the world and complete and thorough testing is done after every production run is finished and before any fabric from that run is shipped. I am going to indicate the clause that our mills have furnished for the purpose you are requesting



CERTIFICATE OF LEAD FREE FABRICS



“WE HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THERE ARE NOT LEAD AND PHTALATES USED IN ANY PART OF THE PRODUCTION PROCESS ON ALL OUR FABRICS AND THEY ARE ALL LEAD FREE AND THEY DO NOT CONTAIN ANY PHTALATES”

[Former_Member]

Has anyone heard from Alexander Henry or Robert Kaufman?

[Former_Member]

I emailed Kimberly.PORTER@westminsterfibers.com
the following:

Are you aware of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which
will go into affect on February 10, 2009.
Broadly, the law requires that any products for children under the
age of 13 be certified to comply with the lead levels
and pthalate levels specified within the act.

As a customer who creates one of a kind children's wear I am
interested in getting certification of the fabrics I purchase.
Do you have plans to accommodate those customers who create
items for use by children.

Could you please let me know if you will be providing certification
of compliance and if so how?

Thanks for your help,
Lizzy Gilligan

This is the response I got from Westminster Fabrics today:

Hello,

There have been a lot of questions recently regarding whether fabric manufacturers or small manufacturers of children's items need to test for lead and phthalates. There is a brief summary of the new law (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) here:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/102brief.html

Here is an excerpt from this government website:
Who must issue the certificate?
Under the Commission's rule at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/certification.pdf, for products manufactured overseas, the certificate must be issued by the importer. For products produced domestically, the certificate must be issued by the U.S. manufacturer. Neither a foreign manufacturer nor a private labeler is required to issue a certificate. Neither need be identified on the certificate issued by the importer or domestic manufacturer.

Westminster Fibers is an importer of fabric for quilting and crafting fabrics. Westminster does not manufacture any products that are intended for use by children age 12 and under. If fabrics produced by Westminster are used in the manufacture of products for children it is the responsibility of that manufacturer to do the required testing on the finished product.

Regards, Jeff

Jeff Prescott
Sales Manager, Lifestyle Fabrics
Westminster Fibers
3430 Toringdon Way, Suite 301
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-329-5964 OFFICE
704-329-5246 FAX
www.westminsterfabrics.com
www.freespiritfabric.com

[Former_Member]

They are wholesalers, after all, so I guess that excuses them. Better to ask the manufacturers of the supplies.

Still, it would have been nice if he'd said, "please contact our manufacturers directly," instead of the canned "not my problem" sort of response.

[Former_Member]

onegirlsopinion says:
I emailed Kimberly.PORTER [!at] westminsterfibers.com
the following:

Are you aware of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act which
will go into affect on February 10, 2009.
Broadly, the law requires that any products for children under the
age of 13 be certified to comply with the lead levels
and pthalate levels specified within the act.

As a customer who creates one of a kind children's wear I am
interested in getting certification of the fabrics I purchase.
Do you have plans to accommodate those customers who create
items for use by children.

Could you please let me know if you will be providing certification
of compliance and if so how?

Thanks for your help,
Lizzy Gilligan

This is the response I got from Westminster Fabrics today:

Hello,

There have been a lot of questions recently regarding whether fabric manufacturers or small manufacturers of children's items need to test for lead and phthalates. There is a brief summary of the new law (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act) here:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/summaries/102brief.html

Here is an excerpt from this government website:
Who must issue the certificate?
Under the Commission's rule at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/certification.pdf, for products manufactured overseas, the certificate must be issued by the importer. For products produced domestically, the certificate must be issued by the U.S. manufacturer. Neither a foreign manufacturer nor a private labeler is required to issue a certificate. Neither need be identified on the certificate issued by the importer or domestic manufacturer.

Westminster Fibers is an importer of fabric for quilting and crafting fabrics. Westminster does not manufacture any products that are intended for use by children age 12 and under. If fabrics produced by Westminster are used in the manufacture of products for children it is the responsibility of that manufacturer to do the required testing on the finished product.

Regards, Jeff

Jeff Prescott
Sales Manager, Lifestyle Fabrics
Westminster Fibers
3430 Toringdon Way, Suite 301
Charlotte, NC 28277
704-329-5964 OFFICE
704-329-5246 FAX
www.westminsterfabrics.com
www.freespiritfabric.com

********
This is very interesting since I talked with Westminster Fibers several weeks ago and they said that yes, they do test for lead and sent me over a cerficicate from their mill. There is a line item on the cert that says lead and then "not found". However, as the law stands now it does not matter if they test or not. We as the end manufacturer are still responsible for testing.

[Former_Member]

I got (and posted an excerpt from) that same letter from Westminster Fabrics yesterday. I had heard scuttlebut in the forums that Westminster said they were testing, but was highly disappointed at the response.

While I understand I'm responsible for the testing at this point, part of my "reasonable testing method" is supplier certificates, to help minimize my cost. I either don't use their fabrics, or test (at least some).

[Former_Member]

I only posted the e-mail I received because it conflicted with the information that others had been given by Westminster. I thought I had read the entire thread but I guess I missed your posting little things, sorry.

Like everything with this law its hard to get good information.

[Former_Member]

subbing

[Former_Member]

Littlethingsboutique...Jeff Prescott from Westminister Fabrics told me that they're working on a letter or certificate of compliance.

[Former_Member]

Pickering International is CPSIA compliant...prompt response too!

[Former_Member]

Hurray. Coats finally contacted me:


Dear Mrs. Scire:

Thank you for your recent inquiry. We are always eager to hear from people who use our products.

There is a great deal of confusion regarding the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Coats & Clark, along with others in the industry, has petitioned the Consumer Product Safety Council for clarification regarding textile products.

In the interim, be assured our threads and yarns meet the CPSIA’s requirements and comply with the lead content levels and phthalate ban.

We will update you as developments emerge.

Sincerely,



Lynn L. Browne
Director, Consumer Services