Would I be in compliance ?

[Former_Member]

How about I sell a boy's romper without buttons and send them with the package as a free gift with purchase for the parents to sew on?

[Former_Member]

I doubt it. And I think it would be really hard to sell something like that. I sew and I still hate to sew buttons on!

[LaurieRyan]

I doubt it either I would not buy something I had to add buttons to, like athena I hate sewing on buttons

[Former_Member]

I've thought about that very thing. You never know...although folks hate to sew on buttons, as time goes by and this law starts to limit people's choices, they may view sewing a couple of buttons as not such a burden.

[Former_Member]

I am confused when when you have to test (coming Feb 2010). I know fabric is on the safe list, but what if the manufacturer of a button (just for example) certifies it is compliant? Just because I sew it on do I now have to test even though it was safe before I sewed it on?

[Former_Member]

Yes, after Feb., if things stay the way they are you will. Sucks, don't it?

[Former_Member]

Now, im confused! I thought you had to test fabric if you were making clothes for the under 12's. Is that right?

[Former_Member]

For right now, if you make something of fabric that has no metal or plastic on it, you don't need to test, but you have to have certification from the fabric manufacturers saying that the components are safe. That's how I understand it, anyway.

[Former_Member]

If any children's item is not in compliance you cannot sell it, give it away (except to a friend or relative as a gift) or donate it. So giving it for free does not exempt you from CPSIA. Believe it or not you would be guilty of distributing "hazardous materials".

Testing requirements will be enforced as of Feb. 2010. Until then you must have documents that say that what supplies you are using are safe and compliant under CPSIA. If you are dealing with a manufacturer that knows their materials will be used for children's items you will probably easily get this - but many say they do not intend their materials and supplies for children and they are for general use and they do not have to test - you do.

[Former_Member]

In my humble opinion, this law is going to go largely ignored because it is just so preposterous and so utterly lacking in common sense. There is no way on this planet that someone can prevent a person from donating an item unless the recipient simply refuse the donation. In real life that isn't going to happen.

[LaurieRyan]

Inchworm that is why we have been working so hard to get that stupid law totally rewritten. anything made here in country with materials purchased and made here in country don't need to be tested as the materials have already PASSED such tests. I so totally agree with you and that is why a stay was put into place as the people who wrote the law finally realized what they were up against. the fight still goes on, in this section there is information on how to help fight this law

[SimmonsCreek]

Inchworm,
I am in real life and I AM refusing donations. The reason is because ultimately it will come back to ME. If I accept a donation and it goes out in my charities name and I am the Founder of the charity, it's my behind that is in trouble.

[Former_Member]

This law is totally making me rethink what I want to do on etsy! I was leaning toward making fun stuffed animals for older kids/teens/adults but now I'm thinking that I'd better look for something to make that is just for adults! Anything that looks like a stuffed animal will be assumed to be for kids and therefore will be required to be tested. This is nuts! There will be no handmade children's items in the U.S. ever again when this law goes into effect. Is it still postponed for a year?

[Former_Member]

And when I have toys to donate from the 1980's-90's that my kids played with, do I now just have to throw them in the trash?? Can I let my future grandkids even play with them???

[SimmonsCreek]

The stay is only until Feb. 2010. The labeling law goes into effect in August.

[Former_Member]

can you explain the labeling law to me? Thanks

[Former_Member]

pastperfect says:
If any children's item is not in compliance you cannot sell it, give it away (except to a friend or relative as a gift) or donate it. So giving it for free does not exempt you from CPSIA. Believe it or not you would be guilty of distributing "hazardous materials".

Testing requirements will be enforced as of Feb. 2010. Until then you must have documents that say that what supplies you are using are safe and compliant under CPSIA. If you are dealing with a manufacturer that knows their materials will be used for children's items you will probably easily get this - but many say they do not intend their materials and supplies for children and they are for general use and they do not have to test - you do.
__________________________________________________

Ditto!

The law is in effect now, only the testing section has been put on a temporary hold.

You really need to take a good look at this law and understand all the potential ramifications of it.

[Former_Member]

I understand the law completely. Just playing devil's advocate here. How could it be illegal for me to gift a pair of buttons that are legal for anyone to buy? (I could even send my 6 yr old grand daughter into Joann to buy them.) I'm not putting it on a product and selling it. How is that any different than the little freebies I often get in my etsy packages when I buy something? And, does anyone else see the irony that I could donate something you gave me as gift and a reseller could sell it, but you the designer cannot?

I'm not implying we should all break the law, I'm just trying to think out of the box. And, JuliesWoolies, you could let your grandchildren play with whatever you want. Unless the gov't comes to your house and takes them, you're safe. It's that kind of genuine fear that scares me. We are supposed to be a country of freedoms.

[Former_Member]

Personally I think this whole law is just an over-reaction to the dangerous imports from China. The stuff wasn't made here but now they want to protect kids but are going WAAAAAAY overboard. I don't my kids hurt or poisoned but their requirements are crazy.

[Former_Member]

Inchworm, if you sent your 6 year old granddaughter into a store to buy them and they sold them to her they would be breaking this law...if you donate them to a reseller they cannot sell them for a child's item unless they know they are law compliant...if you let your 6 year old granddaughter play with them you will be breaking the law...IMO eventually this law will be used to remove our children from our homes, that is why they are so adamant that it not be changed in any way....