Plushie Sewing Kits and the CPSIA

[Former_Member]

I have been seriously looking into making kits for dolls, fabric ornaments, etc. for the customer to sew at home. The design and graphics are my own creation that I wanted to sell here on Etsy. I have read a lot into what is needed for keeping in compliance with all the CPSIA regulations and have gotten that sorted out. What I don't understand is how I should present that info within the kit itself.

Do I have the tracking info on the label and just include a sew-in tag with the required info and include attaching it in the instructions? Since the customer would be doing the 'finish work' is the sew-in tag still required? Personally I'd like it included because my business name will be on it, but there is no guarantee that the customer will actually add it to the finish doll/toy.

I have been working very hard to check all my material/supply sources to know that they are compliant and making sure there are no choking hazards from the product design because the final product is intended for children. Is there anything else (regulation wise) that I need to pay attention to with craft kits of this type?

Many thanks,

~Susanne

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

I'd write or call CPSC and ask them your specific questions. You may fall in to one of those gray areas that wasn't taken in to consideration, when they tried to write the regulations for this stupid totally unenforceable law, that is a real business killer.

[Former_Member]

Here's contact info for the CPSC's Small Business Ombudsman at http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/smbus.html with your questions. That office should be able to inform you about federal matters directly related to the CPSC and CPSIA concerning your products specifically plus direct you to any other USA federal agencies that maybe involved with the types of products you choose to sell. Make sure you make some sort of record of the conversation or print outs of the e-mails. Also check back with them every couple of months to see if the current "official interpetation" has in anyway changed since the last inquiry.

[Former_Member]

Thank you both very much for the info! I wasn't too sure if I was just missing something, or if there was somewhere else to look that I hadn't seen yet. I will be contacting them shortly.

*Hugs*

~Susanne