All you need is info that will identify the location and date of production as well as cohort information. Lot# is an example, but if you do not create items in lots, that isn't necessary.
Think of it this way, if a purchaser contacts you or the boutique owner they bought the item from and says, "My son is having an allergic reaction to this item and we want to know how the fabric was processed so that we can determine what he is allergic to." You can use the identifying info (transaction#, listing#, other code) to find your records of that creation and provide a concerned parent and a suffering child with important information.
The difficulty with the labeling requirement is that everyone is guessing what will be acceptable on a label. There have been no "official" examples offered or sample labels by CPSC. What there is has been a vague general "must include" with little explanation. The problem will come when CPSC comes back and says that label is not acceptable - and then it is too late.
I see vague as good. The more specific the law becomes the less options we have for compliance.
Besides the CPSC is not militant. Children's garments are already required to have labels informing the owner what it is made of and nobody enforces that for handmade.
Remember that some toy companies actually poisoned children and they still exist. I'll do my best to comply and welcome any label review by the CPSC.
I know I've posted this before, but I have a few really great labeling sources for small qty. Also, I order small qty here on etsy from fellow sellers, which is super supportive of eachother. Pixelbypixel is a great one, they make all my stickers....
HibouCards says: This is pretty scary... I can see a lot of us being in trouble if that passes. Thanks for warning us!
It is already a LAW AS OF MAY 2008. The labeling required is just one of the many steps to compliancy that happens to be the next obstacle that is causing headaches please read http://cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html for the plain english guidelines to the law and a list of testing and certification daedlines.
frankandme says: I know I've posted this before, but I have a few really great labeling sources for small qty. Also, I order small qty here on etsy from fellow sellers, which is super supportive of eachother. Pixelbypixel is a great one, they make all my stickers....
Removalable sticker may not make the cut with the CPSC for compliancy, under the letter of the law the label must be permanant. Please read http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/faq/103faq.html for a quick overview of what will be require of the new tracking label. Plus it might be a good idea to double check that you are using all your other legally required labeling correctly. When the discussions about the CPSIA started back in Nov/Dec 08 one artisan reported back that she failed government testing for small parts / choking not because her wooden item broke apart small enough to be swallowed but due to using the wrong font and size of print on the warning label on her packaging.
So, do beaded bookmark book thongs "appeal" to children 12 years and under?
and who wants a permanent labe on a book thong? I see no way that I could make one permanent any way. Maybe if I was a glass blower I could miniaturize the information inside a bead...kinda like they do with diamonds...EEK!!!
Cheers to the "black market" baby business. I am staying open. I have invested so much emotionally and financially into my business. I'm a single mom with a 15 month old to raise and I'm not going to let /the man/ bring me down.
They can go ahead and test me for whatever they want.
I'm tired of reading about their standards, rules, and new federal laws impeding my business and lifestyle.
I'm just ignoring it at this point, and doing as most other childrens stores are doing on etsy.
Creating unique, innovative, and SAFE items that are manufactured under a responsible close eye, with lots and lots of love.
Don't let them bring you down ladies. Stay strong, and we'll persevere.
Amen, HazelMay. I really don't care what anyone says. No one is going to want to prosecute stay-at-home moms who make bibs and grandmas who knit baby blankets. Just because they have the authority to do so doesn't mean they will. They aren't "the government". They're just people like you and me. And the last thing they'll want to do is go around arresting crafters by the thousands for being in violation of a vague and confusing law that was meant to target huge manufacturers. I don't care what anyone says.
To sell children's items, we need a label to identify us, and some info on it so the buyers can track the item back to us (a web address, will that do?)
We need content labels....100% cotton, or whatever...do we need a label that has care instructions - wash in cold, no bleach, that kind of stuff?
I would caution anyone who is not planning on being compliant to not mention it publicly. Though the CPSC doesn't have the time, funding, or inclination to harass us, parental watchdog groups might.
If you do your best to comply, I believe, the CPSC will leave you alone and parents will feel safe. However, if flaunt your lack of compliance or skip the labels and a vigilant parent discovers you... You could lose you business.
On the bright side, permanent labels that buyers can use to find you in the future are a good marketing tool:)
I have a sound mind that my store is compliant. I'm so tired of calling them, and fussing with them. I've been told so many different things by them. I've contacted the EPA, and cotton incorporated on related issues. The EPA is actually pretty well educated oh Pthaltates lol.
I may not be able to afford certificates, or even eligible for them, but I know I am manufacturing safe products for children.
God i make fabric softies and accossories for collecting only ( adults and older teens) and i heard that anything under the age of 14 am i correct ?....but still, when the years pass some stores might as well be secret speak easy's
lol i vote the the craft easy's password be Crafts ftw.
So could this be done in a way similar to a matress tag-- the "do not remove under penalty of law" tag? Like you could print a paper label that with all the required info, attach it with a single stitch, and the buyer could easily remove this silly and impracticle tag anyway? That way you complied, and it is up to the buyer to keep it, and it does not affect the integrity of the item?
i just want to cry! i was so excited to start making my montessori materials and now i have no idea how in the world i am going to label items without messing with the integrity of the product. I have to do shout outs for thread and a certain pen i used or a ribbon....this is a nightmare!
So could this be done in a way similar to a matress tag-- the "do not remove under penalty of law" tag? Like you could print a paper label that with all the required info, attach it with a single stitch, and the buyer could easily remove this silly and impracticle tag anyway? That way you complied, and it is up to the buyer to keep it, and it does not affect the integrity of the item?
**************************************************** I think you have to ask yourself if a single stitch has the integrity to hold up and stay put if the consumer wishes to leave the tag on and is washable if the product is washable, etc. If not, then I would not consider that a permanent label, nor would I think it is in the spirit of the law (the ability to track the manufacturer should a concern be found with the product).
Hopefully we will have more guidance about this aspect of the law from CPSC soon. I think the most important thing will be to have viable ideas lined up so that you can move quickly to implement them if guidance is provided.
