Question for those of you who are doing this successfully

[Former_Member]

Call me lazy, but I just can't seem to round up the will power to get everything in order to legally sell children's products. It's a shame because I have made some knitted toys/dolls that kids really seem to like (I made a few for some friends' children). The problem I run into is that I use safety eyes, and it's been difficult to get a GCC that actually has all the information needed. Not to mention the issue of other safety regulations, in this case: arms and legs are attached by sewing them to the body with yarn; my fear is that the toy would not meet durability standards. At this time, I've basically shelved the whole idea.

So, I suppose what I'm looking for is stories from sellers that have overcome the odds and have a successful, legal business here on Etsy. What products do you make? Did you run into similar problems?

[Former_Member]

Darice is really cooperative when it comes to getting GCC's. If you email or call them they will put you in contact with a woman who has been nothing but kind and helpful to me. Hope this helps :)

[Former_Member]

For safety eyes anyway.

[missymaetutus]

I have been so irritated and overwhelmed with what it takes to sell my products now too! Have tried to contact suppliers on etsy and half of them don't know anything about this law or what they tell me contradicts what I have read on here. Keep thinking is it just me??! Very frustrated by the whole thing. THinking about just selling things with fabric and elastic..LOL. But even then I have such a large stash of fabric I don't have all the information from it. According to all these posts...I should know every fact about that fabric even though fabrics are exempt??? Its just overwhelming. And then I go to Joanne Fabrics and they can just easily put not for children under 13 on a container of beads??? Really??? I think a child under 13 maybe attracted to those beads...so shouldn't they have to do something about that and supply me with information that it is safe beacause they are pretty and pink and my 5 year old wants to craft with them??? Don't even know what I am supposed to do with all the product I already have made and all the supplies I already have bought.
So glad to see your post....because when I search for items like mine...they are still on etsy using the same materials as I am using. According to a few posts I have read, I should just shut down shop now.:(
Frustrated and overwhelmed isn't even the half of it!

[Former_Member]

@Sara, I have actually purchased my safety eyes from a seller here on Etsy. They were kind enough to send me the GCC info they had, however, I have since misplaces and need to request it again to make sure all the required information is there. Thanks for the tip about Darice, though, very helpful!

@Tabitha, I agree that it's really frustrating to see so many sellers on Etsy and really wonder if they are compliant. I'm trying to be positive, but the truth is, I really enjoy creating the things I do and love the enjoyment I have seen children get out of it, but it's really disheartening to think about all the work that has to be done to make it possible to continue. I really hope to see some more input on this thread.

Anyone else know about the standards for use and abuse as far as toys go?

[Former_Member]

Disclaimer: I am not a legal expert, this is my understanding on the laws. If your toys are intended for children over 3 and are made with the yarn, safety eyes, and poly fil, you would have to do the following to be legal:

1. Register on Small Batch Manufacturer's Registry, which would exempt you from getting your toys third-party tested for lead and other toxins (everything but the safety eyes is already exempt, but if you have a GCC for the eyes, you are good). If the toys are intended, labeled, and marketed for children over 3, you do not need to do third-party small-part testing (use and abuse). Here is a doc. that explains the age determinations for toys: http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/adg.pdf Even though you would be exempt from third-party testing, you would still need to personally make sure your toys follow all the requirements for toys.

2. Include tracking labels on all your toys. There are special requirements for the info on the labels. Lots of info on this on this forum.

I think that is it. It is actually easier if your toys are made of fabric and are not intended for babies. Again, I may be misunderstanding something or leaving something out. Please correct me if I'm wrong because I want to be legal, too! :)

[Former_Member]

Oh, and
3. Check with your local government to see if any special licenses are required for making/selling toys. In my state (Michigan) there are none.

[Former_Member]

@Rachel, thank you for that helpful information! I've got the tracking label thing taken care of already. I make my own labels using polyester ribbon (exempt from testing) and an inkjet printer (last I heard, CMYK ink is also expempt). I state on the label that it is not intended for children under 3. From what I read in that article, because it is intended for children over 3, it is not subject to Small Parts Regulation (unless of course the CPSC staff thinks otherwise...).

So, it looks as though all I need to do is register.

This is encouraging.

[Former_Member]

@Rachel, Hm, quick google search hasn't returned any info on licenses for making/selling toys in Texas. Interesting fact: I'm originally from Michigan.

[PiecefullyHome]

ok, so if i register then i don't have to test things like fabric? i can make things like napkins for kids? i haven't really pursued the kids stuff like i would like ever since all the regulations began. but registering, i could do that.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Fabric for the most part has always been exempt from testing. What other supplies are you planning to use, and we can tell you if they will need testing.

[MagnoliaSurprise]

Sara -- thanks for the info about Darice. I'm getting all my ducks in a row but was worried about the safety eyes. I use yarn and fiberfill so that's exempt, and I'm registered for small business. Basically, I'm staying away from anything that would have small parts, but will use the labeling for it and over 3 on the toy and in my listing.

[Former_Member]

Here's a link to a document I found this morning that explains the Federal Trade Commission's requirements for labeling...it's not too long or complicated :-)

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/textile/bus21

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Again, that is labeling for the FTC, entirely different from the CPSIA labeling.

[Former_Member]

Sorry :(. Still learning the ropes.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

LOL! No problems, bought the time you learn the ropes they thru out a couple more.