Polymer clay artists and CPSIA

[Former_Member]

I am so lost and confused. I am hoping someone out there has some idea about how this will affect us.

There are so many people like me who work with the various polymer clays, and sell what they make. Artists who make beads, pendants, artwork such as miniature fairies and ATC/AECOs, magnets, etc.

Have any of you found out if your supplier of clay, finishes etc. can provide you with the certification for testing these products? Since they are the retailers of the supplies, to us, the consumer, are they all going to put their businesses on hold until they can get their products tested? Or do they not have to since they are not selling the finished products?

I live in Canada, and most of my supplies are already coming from the USA. I am hoping that they can give me the certificates, and that having those for each "ingredient" in my final products would be enough.

I asked one supplier if they can give me a certificate of testing for the sterling silver findings I purchased. I was told that sterling silver inherently does not contain lead, and as such, does NOT need to be tested. Is this true?

Sorry for the long post, but I have been stressing out about this for weeks now and am no clearer on what I can do about this.

Help please!

[Former_Member]

The sellers of the unfinished product do not have to get tested according to the CPSIA. This was reaffirmed by an email I received from the CPSIA yesterday in regards to ordinary books and exemptions. The letter clearly states that it is the finished product that needs to be tested.

Polymer clay manufacturers are also covered under the law if their product meets ASTM guidlines, which many polymer products do. The law clearly states that art proucts that are certified non-toxic under these guidelines are safe and do not need to be tested. Unfortunately that does not yet exempt an artist's finished product using the material.

[Former_Member]

Thank you for responding, Idarose!

Oh, that is depressing to hear. One would think that since they are providing the base materials, that they would have to provide the testing certificates.

I do not see how that is going to help keep "lead" and other hazardous materials away from children, since parents buy their kids supplies to make things themselves! In fact, for example, Fimo clay itself is marketed towards children! (Bright colours, bake in oven etc). So this act is not going to protect the children from playing with things containing lead. Or am I completely wrong?

[Former_Member]

Under the act, you are probited from selling any items for children 12 and under which have not been tested. Since your items are geared more at Adults (which we all know they are, hint hint,) you should be fine. You can look at the new policies @ http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

I think it is just worded such that small scale manufacturers such as you and I (even though I'm sure we consider ourselves artist rather than manufacturers) are lumped into one large batch with large scale manufactures who are the ones responsible for the lead paint boo boo. We are obviously hoping for some amendments or clarifications. All in all, I seriously doubt that we are large enough to even be on the radar.

Just don't advertise for children 12 and under, and you should be just fine. If I were you I would just operate business as usual.

As for polymer clay purchased from the US, I think you may notice label changes, but I don't think you will be affected in that respect.

[DesignsByWho]

I so feel your pain jewelzodonnell. :(
Eventually, if things down't change, I am going to try to gear my stuff more towards teens and adults and hope for the best.

[Former_Member]

That's really disappointing to hear. I don't work with polymer clay very often anymore, but there are so many talented artists who do...

[Former_Member]

I guess that is all we can do. Hope that if anyone does buy our items, that they do not get stopped at the border "just because". I do know that as a Canadian, on the customs form it only allows one to put in "gift" "sample" "documents" or "other documentation". With my products, the only choice is "gift". Wonder if that is going to change too?

And....Canada post employees (that I know) did not even know about this!

[Former_Member]

idarose says...

The law clearly states that art proucts that are certified non-toxic under these guidelines are safe and do not need to be tested. Unfortunately that does not yet exempt an artist's finished product using the material.
________________________________________________________

This is what frustrates me the most. My children can use the same paints that I must have tested if I make something for children. So Stupid!!

[Former_Member]

I cannot imagine what the writers of this new act were thinking! Yes, please, protect our children! But it is not always just the finished product that hurts them with hazardous materials!

This new act does not protect them against craft supplies, food, air, and water!

Arrrghhh! Sorry *blush* I just feel like I am beating my head against a brick wall.

[Former_Member]

I create wood animals and I will be taking it all off of the shelves come the 10th of February unless there is some specific change in the law. Am I going to quit making them, no! I am going to make shadow boxes that the animals fit into. Collectable animals plus Shadow Box means advertising to Adults.

[Former_Member]

Jewelzodonnel, We all have felt like we are banging our heads against a brick wall. And we are. The Phthallates that they are testing for in addition to the lead are in rubber duckies. Any soft plyable plastic toy could have these aweful things that are so dangerous to children. I, myself, am getting really tired of "Big Brother" trying to protect me and mine. Suffice it to say Parents are the ones that have to make sure that their children's toys won't hurt them. If anything Big Business is all for this testing because a lot of their market was going to the handmade craft cottage industry. No one trust what Mattel and the rest are doing.

[Former_Member]

I have to agree. It is only the big manufacturers that can afford the testing. I know I certainly cannot!

[Former_Member]

I am not sure if it has been discussed but because of CA's laws regarding phthalates all the clay brands have reformulated their clays to fit the new laws. Some work better than others. I am sure you can find more info on that.

Does anyone know if the new formula clays help with this at all?

[Former_Member]

of course I know this doesn't help with the findings and such.

[melaniescrafts]

marking

[Former_Member]

I found this on the sculpey website, not sure if it will make some of you feel better:

http://www.sculpey.com/faq/safety

[Former_Member]

Gingerweeds, the only problem is they redirect to another site in refernce to ACMI seal (The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc.) for an explaination of what the seal means. From what I read ther there is no mention of the of what levels of lead and phthalates are to conform to the ACMI seal or it's relations to the levels set forth in the CPSIA. All they state is products bearing the seal have been tested by a specific Toxicologist for chronic and acute human reactions not for for elements, chemicals, and compounds items listed in Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act which is not the same as the newly "hazardous materials" listed by the CPSIA and does not employ the total "hazardous materials" by weight standards of testing that the CPSIA wants. The ATSM is not a government agency that oversees various products but a group of independant labs and industry insiders that set up a self policing policy for it's members in many ways it's like the UL seal on electronics you have to be a member to know what the current standards are that they adhere to for your particular product.

[Former_Member]

Opps, proofreading error. Should read ...
Toxicologist for chronic and acute human reactions for for elements, chemicals, and compounds items listed in Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act which is not

[Former_Member]

I would direct polymer clay questions to websites that are run by artists and deal specifically with clay issues in detail. One is www.PolymerClayCentral.com.

[BikiniSandi]

I admit the new laws on children's items have sent me way over to the other side. I make adult items due to the stress of United States laws. Now ain't that a kick in the head?

[Former_Member]

marking

[ZenithJade]

It says on the sculpey site that:
All children’s products we manufacture are phthalate free and lead free and conform to the standards of the CPSIA. They also carry the CE mark, indicating that they have been evaluated by a toxicologist and have been tested to conform to the European Safety of Toys Directive, EN 71.

Doesn't that mean that sculpey, at least, is safe?

[cherrylippedroses]

Sterling silver does NOT contain lead. In order to create sterling, which HAS to be 925 parts silver to a 1000 parts of the whole, the company or the smith utilizes some other small amounts of metals for strength and durability, like copper...but, no lead. Lead USED to be used in pewter products a long time ago...that is why companies like FIRE MOUNTAIN repeatedly tell you their products are lead free. Hope this helps....

[Former_Member]

cherrylippedroses - Sterling silver, Karated gold, platinum, and surgical steel are all on the exempt materials according to the CPSIA. The unfortunate thing is all silver marked .925 is not Sterling in at least one case Turkish silver they are allowed to carry the .925 assay mark but the silver is mixed at the 925/1000 ratio with Cadmium, an element as controversial in it's effects on the human brain as lead, and should always be refered to as Turkish silver not Sterling silver.