http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/brief/leadfinalrule.pdfThis document has all the info about ribbons and textiles, but sadly, I do not speak legalese. Do a search in the pdf on "ribbon" and you'll find all the instances where it is discussed. From what I can understand, ribbon is exempt as long as a process that could contain lead has not been introduced to the textile, such as "decals, transfers, and screen printing". Those items at least must be tested. (See page 52.) What is not clear is if they consider "such items" to be obvious candidates for testing and ones that do not have these things as exempt. I have heard that ribbons are fine as long as they're not screen printed, so I am sticking with standard grossgrain.
I have also heard that it is not enough to have a report from the manufacturer stating that it is lead free but I am going to make a note of the manufacturers that have tested their products and are lead free. Offray is another company that tests in addition to American Crafts, someone on one of these threads said. However, it is looking very promising that they're going accept products that have been made from tested components without having to accept the finished good.
