chalkboard placemats???

[Former_Member]

I'm hoping someone can help me out because I'm confused. Isn't it against CPSIA rules to be selling these due to phalathates? I still see a lot of them for sale.

[ingenuityondisplay]

What a cool idea! Chalk board paint has phalathates in it?

[Former_Member]

The chalkboard fabric does

[Former_Member]

DianesCorner,
I've been trying to investigate chalkboard fabric to use recently - where are you finding that it's against CPSIA rules? And does it pertain to all oilcloth (vinyl) fabrics, or specifically chalkboard fabric?

[Former_Member]

unemployed - I wrote to my vendor and they confirmed that the oilcloths do not meet CPSIA compliance.

boo. >:-P

[Former_Member]

On Nancy's notions website, it says the chalk board fabric in not compliant. Or at least it did a month ago.

[Former_Member]

Yes, as far as I know you can't use any chalk cloth for children under 12 or anything vinyl. I pulled all my chalk boards months ago and I also pulled my pet shop softie set and I spy bags, because they have the clear vinyl window. Thing that gets me is some of the chalk cloth suppliers are still advertising the stuff for kids items...like this one.
http://www.voguefabricsstore.com/store/catalog/Oilcloth-Chalk-Cloth-Chalkboard-Fabric-p-1665.html

[Former_Member]

That's upsetting to me also. Why are people on Etsy still selling it if it's for children and noncompliant?

[Former_Member]

I'm not sure either. Unless they know something we don't, but from all of my research all I can find is, its not compliant.

[itsthesmallthings]

I have some chalkboard items on my site and I've been trying to read the cpsia rules and I don't think that we have to stop selling it until Feb of 2010 and if you were around last year when there was a big panic, the rules were way more strict and it seems like every month something new comes out from cpsia that makes things better for us so I'm not in a rush to change anything I'm doing until we see the end results.

Also I think that our items at least the ones that I have in my store would very loosely be considered toys, they are more educational, and I might open another store to promote to home schooler and learning items.

By the way I did find a couple of different types of shower curtians at Walmarts that are CPSIA approved more expensive than vinyl and not clear but I'm going to see how they work and will let you guys know.

I know I will probably get some comments back and I do look forward to what you have to say.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

itsthesmallthings says:
I have some chalkboard items on my site and I've been trying to read the cpsia rules and I don't think that we have to stop selling it until Feb of 2010

Sorry, this isn't correct. We are exempt on some things from actually have to test them, IF we are certain that they are below the lead levels and do not contain the phthalates that were banned. We can use supplier statements for compliance, and XFR testing for now. BUT, knowingly selling banned items is definately forbidden. I may be mistaken, but I think it was a phthalate problem with the chalk cloth. I suggest you contact the manufacturer of the fabric and ask for a copy of the compliance testing, at the least they should tell you if it is compliant.

[Former_Member]

Do not judge what can or cannot be sold legally under CPSIA by what other shops are selling. There are a LOT of people and craftspeople who still do not know anything about CPSIA or even its existence. These people will continue to make and sell things that are not legal under this law. What happens about them is up to CPSC and the Attorney General in their state. Etsy has not made any clear statement about restricting items for sale - though in their TOS all items must be legal to be sold. Also sellers outside the US are continuing to make and sell CPSIA non-compliant items for children with their understanding that it is up to the person who purchases to have it tested - should it actually make it through Customs un-confiscated and get delivered.

[Former_Member]

Truly a bummer about the chalkcloth.

Please forgive me, I'm new to the concerns about CPSIA, so I'm still feeling my way around the forums and the CPSA regarding the products that I hope to offer.

So I have one more question: is this a blanket statement that all chalkcloth/oilcloth/vinyl fabrics don't meet compliance, or are there vendors out there who are finding compliant materials? Actually, that's sort of a reiteration of my original question, isn't it? Anyone care to take a crack at it?

[betsygarbo]

wondering if I make something from oilcloth for use by adults- do I need a disclaimer in my shop?

[Former_Member]

I sell them (have not actually sold one yet) as a toy not as a place mat. Something to take with you to keep your child entertained. This is my listing.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27657722

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Thatsadorable. It is for children, it is not compliant, chalkboard fabric has phthalates. Call it a toy, call it a placemat, call it a dress, call it anything you would like, it's for children, according to the law, it is considered hazardous, and it is banned, illegal, and can not be sold, donated, given away or eaten.

[Former_Member]

So wait, are those fabric sprayed with the chalk board spray or is it already on in the fabric?

[Former_Member]

You buy the chalkboard oil cloth at Ben Franklin Crafts. I told them what I was going to do with it and they said that is what it was for...

[Former_Member]

It is a type of vinyl that you can write on with chalk. It has been around for years, but is NOT CPSIA compliant.

you can also buy it at fabric.com and vouge fabrics.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

ThatsAdorable says:
You buy the chalkboard oil cloth at Ben Franklin Crafts. I told them what I was going to do with it and they said that is what it was for...

I'm sure they were happy to sell it to you. And you are right, it's to make things just like you made for children. But the Gov has decided it is okay for you to buy it and make something for your own children. But God forbid that you might come afoul of calpirg (who along with the other wackos wrote this law, all of which I suspect have no children of their own, that would be icky, and totally against saving the planet, but think they know how we should raise ours) and sell it to some other unsuspecting child and poison them as they are eating their cherrios in the morning.

[Former_Member]

ROFLOL!! FayeMalone too funny!!

[Former_Member]

I went on their website (CPSIA) and asked them if the item I was selling is ok or not I will let you all know what they say as soon as I hear anything. Before today I had heard of the CPSIA but did not really think that anything I made would be at risk. I got the idea from a local vendor and changed the design. Then I went on etsy and saw the dine n doodle and assumed that it was good.

[Former_Member]

The Nancy's notions still has it up.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product/fabric/specialty/chalkboard+fabric+black+47%22+wide.do?search=b...

If you click on the details tab and read down, it talks about the cloth not being CPSIA compliant.

[Former_Member]

Nice link, kidnaround.

I love that on that site, they sell it to you with this:

Chalkboard Fabric Black 47" Wide

"Inspired creativity! Use Chalkboard Fabric to make dinner time fun, car rides enjoyable, or playtime quiet. This unique fabric can be drawn on with regular chalk and easily erased. Great for teachers to use in their classrooms, too."

And then disclaim it like this:

"NOTE: Not recommended for use within projects that will be used by children under 12 years of age."

It would be funny if only it weren't so frustrating!

[Former_Member]

ThatsAdorable- yes, please let us know what you hear from the CPSIA. From everything I've read, the chalkboard fabric is non-compliant. The government should do something aboout Nancy's Notions and companies that are advertising using it for children's items.