Still don't get it.

[Former_Member]

I know, this has gone around and around, but I still don't get it! I am in the early stages of starting a business selling wooden toys. They will be made completely of wood, possibly finished with 100%, completely natural products, and may or may not contain glue. It seems that, at least for now, the wood and natural finish would be exempt. But does this chance in 2010? I can't seem to find a straight answer on that.

Also, I know these items would be in compliance, but would I actually have to test them? Does the law say that the items actually have to have testing or just that they need to be in complaiance? If I'm okay taking the "risk" that they are safe without 3rd party lab verification, can I do this? Or would I still fall outside of the new laws?

Finally, if I choose a glue that is non-toxic, okayed for non-contact food services (which is as good as glue gets), is this okay? What if I chose a glue that specifically is advertised for kids? Then would the requirement to test fall on the manufacturer of the glue and I could just request a copy of their certification?

I really want to start this business, but I seem to be running into all sorts of obstacles that make it seem pointless to even bother now. I'd love some help!

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Yes, you still have to test, even if you are given a certificate indicating all the materials you used are compliant.

You must test for both lead and pthlates.

As of August, you must also permanently label the product with the information. An attached tag doesn't count, it's a PERMANENT label.


This sounds stupid and excessively onerous because it IS stupid and excessively onerous. It basically requires you do to do this in the least effective and least cost effective manner.

[Former_Member]

Is this still the case if my products are all wood and all natural? I've seen that wood and natural products are exempt (Table 2 on their website). But is this exemption status only for this interim period that we are in? When the full testing and certification requirements are established, will wood and other all natural products still be exempt?

Thanks!

[Former_Member]

When the full testing and certification requirements are established, will wood and other all natural products still be exempt?

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I don't think anyone knows the answer to that, because it seems like the CPSC hasn't decided. It is incredibly frustrating.

[Former_Member]

Quirkybags,

Thanks!

"I don't think anyone knows the answer to that, because it seems like the CPSC hasn't decided."

I was afraid that would be the answer. Is there any news on a timeline for decisions?

[Former_Member]

<<This sounds stupid and excessively onerous because it IS stupid and excessively onerous. It basically requires you do to do this in the least effective and least cost effective manner.>>

Sure makes a lot of money for the testing companies, doesn't it?

[Former_Member]

Ok I got a link off of another Etsy post and here are some quotes from the CSPSC website.

>Does the law say that the items actually have to have testing or just that they need to be in complaiance?<

"CPSC is currently working to determine exemptions to the lead content limits and the requirement to test."

<Would I still have to test?<

Here is a list of the exempted materials that to my understanding DO NOT need to be tested:

"Wood

Other natural materials including coral, amber, feathers, fur, and untreated leather

Yarn, dyed or undyed

Dyed or undyed textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, nylon, etc.), including children’s fabric products, such as baby blankets, and non-metallic thread and trim. This does not include products that have rhinestones or other ornaments that may contain lead or that have fasteners with possible lead content (such as buttons, metal snaps, zippers or grommets).

Children’s books printed after 1985 that are conventionally printed and intended to be read, as opposed to used for play

Certain educational materials, such as chemistry sets

Precious gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire or emeralds

Semiprecious stones provided that the mineral or material is not based on lead and is not associated with any mineral based on lead

Natural or cultured pearls

Surgical steel

Gold, of at least 10 karats

Silver, at least 925/1000 pure

Platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, and ruthenium"

I hope this helps and here is the link to the site:

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/manufacturers.html

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

SimplyNurturing says:
I know, this has gone around and around, but I still don't get it! I am in the early stages of starting a business selling wooden toys.
**********

Join the group! As of now untreated wood , that means nothing on it, is okay. Who knows what will happen in the future. We can't answer that question, nor can the CPSC. The future is up to the committee of Henry Waxman, Bobby Rush, and all the kook brains that are the "consumer groups" for this. The way the law is written, the CPSC is bound by the verbage of the law, words like "all", "any" and other all inclusive words. They are being hammered, vilified, and crucified for not
reading between the lines and making up their own definitions of what the as&*hol*(s in congress wrote in the bill.

Look no one wants children or anyone to be harmed by anything that we can control. The real real real problem is that we don't inforce the laws that are currently on the books. China, who has caused 99% of the recalled problems, can't be touched because of "treaties" and because the gov has ransomed us to the Chinese government.

[Former_Member]

Thanks everyone! At least one good thing that I can take from this is that I'm not alone in my frustration. This is just crazy.... here I am, passionate about providing natural, safe products for children and the laws that are supposed to protect kids are going to stop people like me from making safe products for kids. It seems even worse that there are no clear-cut answers for the many questions that have been raised for months. I'm really afraid that this is going to stop my business before it even starts! I don't really think I can start up my business now, not knowing if I will have to shut it down in a few months.

Several months ago, I wrote to my representatives but is there anything else I can do????

[Former_Member]

What about air, water, the lawn, carpet.... This legislation is infuriating.