Did you see the video from Baltimore Channel 11 where, for the first time someone from CPSC is interviewed on air? Yep. She disparages ‘mommy-bloggers’ for spreading ‘misinformation’ on the internet! Do you believe this? (Of course, the poor sacrifical lamb has already resigned, her last day is tomorrow) Gee, why do you think they picked her to go on camera?

There is a closed door Congressional Staffer meeting tomorrow about CPSIA. Today and tomorrow would be a REALLY good day to CALL, email and FAX everyone in congress you can think of as well as the CPSC.

We would also appreciate you continuing to spread the word to go to http://www.savekidsresale and Click! to vote (the petition has over 70,000 signatures) as we intend to print out all 500 pages and distribute it to Congressional members tomorrow. As you know, the CPSC has done it’s best to quell the uproar our little corner of this devil in diapers that is CPSIA by their infamous ‘Press Release’.

Thanks so much! Here’s the video http://savekidsresale.squarespace.com/recent-news-stories-video/

I wish it were over, however the CPSC’s press release just said that thrift and resellers did not have to test USED items for lead. It also went on to say they should not sell anything that does or may contain lead and there would be severe penalties for violators. I guess they are supposed to use common sense (in addition to checking for toy and furniture recalls obviously) when it comes to apparel. Kind of ironic considering the law has no common sense in the scope of items required to test for lead.

This is positive news but HANDMADE CLOTHING is still in jeopardy. There are no provisions for COMPONENT TESTING. There are no provisions for FABRICS with COLOR. Please don’t think this is over. We are gaining momentum and let’s continue this fight and save our livelihoods.

Heather

Thanks!
Stephanie
Stephie8655@comcast.net

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09086.html

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=97558

Thank you for your compliments on the post and please feel free to use the article as you see fit in educating the public about CPSIA and the effect if will have on small businesses like mine.

You are more than welcome to use my testing quote regarding. However, I would like to update that information. Kathleen corrected me that flammability testing would not be required since it’s not sleepwear or lounge wear (the testing lab implied I would need it to so hence my confusion/mistake). So that expense would be spared. I did not count thread or my tags in the testing quote. Again, the source at the lab told me I would not have to test the threads. It contains 6 thread colors so $75 X 6 = $450. I forgot the labels too (one size tag, one care/content/made in usa tag, and my liliputians label, in addition to the tracking/labeling label I will now be required to have so $75 X 4 = $300. I stand by my $650. estimate for testing of lead in all the shirt substrates. The revised total for testing the shirt is $1400. (essentially the same but arrived there differently).

I’ve started a series on my blog in hopes of spreading awareness and featuring some of the people who will be affected. I’ll add a link to this post. Would it be alright with you if I reprint the section (with attribution of course) about the cost of testing? I’d like to give some actual examples. Actually, if you’re willing, I’d like to do a feature on your store. http://justaddcharm.com

I wish you were right and fabrics were exempt. THEY ARE NOT. There are some items being up for considertion for exemption from testing and I believe the deadline for this decision is today. We should be hearing about the vote on exempting UNDYED cotton and wool fabrics, UNFINISHED woods and precious metals and gemstones. At this point, those are the only “certain materials” that are up for consideration for exemption.

I have read and reread and read the entire bill in its entirety. It applies to BOTH domestic and imported goods. It applies to all items for children 12 and under. It applies to fabrics (whether they have already been tested, are Oeko-tex, etc.).

This is not media hype nor am I a big corporation, but a micro one-person manufacturer that is expected to comply just as the large companies.

I received this message today. I am broadcasting it here, in case anyone is in the DFW area and can help out.

Here is the message:

I sent a message to the newspapers and TV news stations here in the Dallas, Texas area (I’ve included it below). I heard back from a reporter for our CBS affiliate. She would like to do a story and include as many local toy makers that will be impacted as possible. If you are a DFW manufacturer, contact me and I will send your information to her.

-Christine
christine@formykidsonline.com

Are we going to be able to resale items? Many people buy storage units that the rent has not been paid on and resale all the contents at local auctions and the higher value items are sold online. Many Many have toys, beds etc. in them. Anything that comes out of a house..so what about that?

I have posted a link to this article on Auction Zip.com auctioneer’s forum to see what they say about this mess. Please let me know your idea’s.

Dorie
foxfire-auctions

We have our own company label sewn on, so, one color thread for the front of the label and then a colored thread to match the t-shirt on the back of the label.

jen

We currently use American Apparel blanks, so, we’re required to test:

garment fabric (per color way/design)
thread (per color way/design)
label from American Apparel (two components = fabric + ink)
our own label (ditto)
any pigment (we use plastisol from Union Ink Co. which has been lead-free for 20 years), which is tested per color

But, do we also not need to have the hang-tag paper, hang tag ink(s) and plastic gizmo we attach the hang-tag with (I know many designer friends also use colored crafty thread and a safety pin, too)?

Not to add to the doom and gloom, but for those who also place their products in a plastic bag or wrapper and use a sticker when shipping (whether wholesale or resale), are all of these non-t shirt items also consider a “component”?

Obviously this could jack the expense even higher than it already is.

Any insight on this would be great!

thanks!

jen in sf

I’ve also posted to my blog – CPSIA: What Children’s Clothing Designers and Manufacturers Need to Know
http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com/2008/12/21/cpsia-what-childrens-clothing-designers-and-manufacturers-need-to-know/

HTH

With friendship,
Lisa

Thank you for the info on flammability. This is just so complex in its scope! That is at least one positive morsel of informaiton about not having to do flammability testing since I can absolutely get the info from my wholesalers. I don’t do pajamas or lounge wear and will restrain from doing anything that could possible be construed to go in that category! I spoke with 2 labs and they indicated that it would be required. Such conflicting info.

I’m also reading conflicting info on thread. Most info that I have read indicates thread would be a substrate and therefore require testing. Both labs I spoke to said “no.” When I asked them about interfacing or elastic, I was told “no” if there were not exposed. I just realized I forgot to ask about tags that are sewn into each garment – my label, the size tag, and then the care/content/made in US tag. Three more possible tests. –sigh–

I am just keeping my fingers crossed that component testing is allowed vs. unit testing. THAT I could live with. It would satisfy safety concerns, cut down on redundant and expensive testing, and would mean I would have unexpected expenses BUT that I could afford to stay in business making children’s clothing.

Heather

PS – Wanted to share this link with Boutique Cafe readers that I just received from the Material World newsletter.
http://www.material-world.com/Content/975.htm

There is a group forming on Yahoo who are collaborating to let help show world know how big the Children’s Handmade really is.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Savethechildrenshandmadecommunity/

This is NOT just about toys.

The ramifications of this will affect all industries making ANYTHING that could be intended for a child 12 and under, whether is has never had safety violations, whether it is made in the USA, etc., etc. This law applies to clothing, to toys, to bicycles (the BMX community is up in arms and can you imagine how much it would cost to test every component & surface on a bike?!? and what baby is going around sucking on bicycle tires anyway?!?). ATV’s. books, school learning tools suck as microscopes in schools (apparently there is a touch of solder on the light bulb that deems them unsafe now, again common sense, any babies you know using school quality microscopes and sucking on lightbulbs?!?)

One point to make tho. You don’t need to test for flammability if this is not a child’s pajama (recently amended to include “lounge wear”).

Also, you don’t need to test for flammability if you can get the documentation from the fabric vendor.

Thank you very much for your assistance!