cotton, wool, and natural material exemption question

[Former_Member]

In the article below, a CPSC spokeswoman is quoted as saying: "If a baby blanket is 100% cotton, or you have a set of unfinished wooden blocks, then those items wouldn't necessarily have to be tested," says CPSC spokeswoman Julie Vallese. "There's room under the law for certain exemptions."

Does this mean if our products are 100% cotton or wool then they are exempt, or there is just the possibility of exemption in the future?

Thanks!

http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/14/smallbusiness/toy_law_threatens_small_companies.smb/

[MomNMiaDesigns]

only if they are natural, undyed cottons and wools....

[Former_Member]

I hope that is what it means! That would be great!

[Former_Member]

I agree that my original interpretation had been that only natural undyed fabrics were included, but the spokeswomen's quote regarding baby blankets did not seem to imply undyed fabrics. Does anyone agree with that interpretation of her tone? Are undyed fabrics common? Isn't even plain white cotton still dyed?

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I read that too this morning.. and it infuriated me as it's inaccurate. Read here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/frnotices/fr09/leadlimits.pdf
starting with the last section on page 2...
"(c) The following natural materials do
not exceed the 600 ppm or 300 ppm
lead content limits under section 101(a)
of the CPSIA provided that these
materials have neither been treated or
adulterated with the addition of
materials or chemicals such as
pigments, dyes, coatings, finishes or any
other substance, nor undergone any
processing that could result in the
addition of lead into the product or
material:
(1) Precious gemstones: Diamond,
ruby, sapphire, emerald.
(2) Semiprecious gemstones provided
that the mineral or material is not based
on lead or lead compounds and is not
associated in nature with any mineral
that is based on lead or lead compounds
(minerals that contain lead or are
associated in nature with minerals that
contain lead include, but are not limited
to, the following: Aragonite, bayldonite,
boleite, cerussite, crocoite, linarite,
mimetite, phosgenite, vanadinite, and
wulfenite).
(3) Natural or cultured pearls.
(4) Wood.
(5) Natural fibers such as cotton, silk,
wool, hemp, flax, linen.
(6) Other natural materials including
coral, amber, feathers, fur, untreated
leather."

[Former_Member]

I may be reaching for something that isn't there, but bear with me...under number 6, "untreated leather" is specified, but under number 5, they don't specify "untreated" or "undyed" cotton, silk, wool, etc. Though they do say "natural." I don't know...it still seems kind of vague and perhaps open to interpretation.

[Former_Member]

does anyone who uses just cotton or wool in their products plan to stay open?

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Justbunch, at the top of the quote, it starts with C. the following materials....... then they list the catagories of materials, 1.2.3.4.5.6. C applies to all the listed materials. Untreated leather would be right off the cow...I think leather is treated with something right away to make it pliable. I guess we all go back to chewing the leather to make it pliable....

[Former_Member]

just bunch.. unfortunately it clearly states under (C)that the following materials are exempt provided they haven't been treated...

I'm staying open, and I'm going to play by their rules in a way I can afford to... going to have to get creative... but I can do that.

[FayeMaloneDesigns]

Oh the CPSA spokesperson, Julie, left the CPSA on the 16th after calling us "misinformed mommy bloggers", and retracting statements she has made.

[Former_Member]

Thanks, thetanglewoods and FayeMaloneDesigns. You guys are right. I didn't read carefully enough. The language is pretty clear about dyed natural materials. It is just the spokeswoman who was unclear. I'm bummed. I had been preparing to open a shop and it was my last hope that I could make it work.

[Former_Member]

Yes a baby quilt will be very lovely made from all one fabric cut up and pieced. Every piece would be sort of like unbleached muslin. The thread used would have to be untreated cotton as well. The batting also. I'm done making baby stuff unless they toss this ridiculous bunch of words strung together and make a new plan.

[Former_Member]

I've read several times that untreated wool may be exempt. I certainly hope that washing the fleece before spinning is not considered treating it!

On another note, I seriously doubt that we can even buy untreated cotton fabric. The mills that spin and weave the cotton probably treat it along the way so how can we even comply with this possible exemption???