Comments on: CPSIA Guidance for Retailers Working with Vendors

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 13:45:22 +0000

Kathleen,

Thank you for this helpful CSPIA article. I’ve bookmarked this page and plan on sharing it with my vendors and juvenile products networking club!

Jackie

By: Noelle

Noelle — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:47:20 +0000

A “Good News!” email came out from Etsy, saying progress has been made and there likely will be small business or OOAK exemptions. I went to the post and everyone was excited and I had to be “Debbie Downer” because I had read your article “Don’t throw yourself under the CSPIA bus!” I’m so glad you wrote that article (articles), thanks for all your work!!!!!

PS Since the CPSC told them Feb. 10th will come on and go, and we have till Feb. 17th to comment on exemptions, does this mean they really are going to go through with this???!! No hearings, no discussion by Congress, no amendments?

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/cpsia-blog-in-updates-clarifications-3324/#comment-65691

By: Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama

Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 06:48:15 +0000

On the issue of testing for phthalates, I just want to clarify my statement a bit. The CPSIA requires lead content testing of all children’s products. So, in my humble opinion (and not a legal opinion for any particular compnay to claim as legal advice), a diaper bag would NOT need to be tested if it was just that – a diaper bag intended for carrying diapers by an adult. However, a portable changing pad that is part of the diaper bag or a separate component of the diaper bag would need to be tested for lead content because it is intended for a child – namely, to lay a child on to change a diaper.

As for phthalates, the law says that testing for phthalates must be done for toys and child care articles. The term “child care articles” is defined as those articles intended for children under the age of 3 that facilitate sleeping and eating. So, a diaper changing pad would not need to be tested for phthalates because it isn’t intended to facilitate sleeping or eating (at least I hope not!). However, if that same diaper pag had a portable sleep mat, then the sleep mat would have to be tested for lead and for phthalates.

And yes, for those of you who know me, I do offer testing services for lead content. I don’t test for phthalates. I disclose in the interest of avoiding any appearance of bias.

Jennifer

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:34:31 +0000

Great comments everyone! I will update this entry tomorrow with your suggestions and questions.

NOTE: apparently the site isn’t nice to people leaving comments today. I don’t know what the problem is, it happens to me too.

This is the work around: copy your comment before you submit or barring that because you already did, hit the back button till you can retrieve your comment and then copy it. Then close the site and restart it. Then navigate back to where you were and paste your comment and it’ll be okay. Sorry for the grief. I guess I should upgrade or something but with everything going on..

By: Trevor

Trevor — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 04:30:26 +0000

I have to support Kathleen a bit here.
I trust her with everything I have. I have spoken to her (numerous) times and find her smart, witty and trustworthy. I have also spoken to many people regarding the CPSIA issue and have told many a thing. Whenever I get *credible* information I go straight to K with the author, etc. Kathleen has helped me through interviews, meetings and the obsession AKA CPSIA.
I know she is compiling information, keeping tabs on all this mess, but until ANYTHING is official, (good or bad), no one will know before her. And she won’t leak. Not to anyone.
The thing about reporting some of the “things (s)he told me on the phone” is that like K said, we all (everyone included) will take it out of context and make it our own. For us. It is what we want. Then, we say something to one person, or a forum and it becomes “Telephone”. The end result is people thinking it is over and we won, when in fact, nothing has changed, and we need to fight even harder to keep our voices heard.
Just keep in mind, if Kathleen were not on our side, we’d be in deep doo-doo. She is our team captain, and I think we all need to follow her example.
:0) Trevor

By: Cristina

Cristina — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:09:22 +0000

Hi again,

One of my manufacturers asked me this, after I linked her to your post:

“Not to mention…it even states that you can use an “online” cert rather than sending hard copy to each store…just as long as the info is available upon request. And in this state of panic, stores aren’t even going for that at this point. So, thats my story and I”m sticking to it.
If a retailer were busted, and had to show certs for my clothing, and those listed above were shown, I believe they will be acceptable. I think in the next 6 months, until Aug, there is going to be so much confusion, and so many rag tag attempts at certification…this is going to be clarified by the CSPIA. and maybe even changed to allow the suppliers certs as well. I think people are panicking here. Can anyone cut and paste the information from the CSPIA that states we CAN’T use the mfger’s certs?”

any help you can provide?

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:05:07 +0000

Hi, I am very confused. I sell children’s products, including handmade ribbon hairbows, and clothing, I am so confused as to how this law will affect me. TO test all clothing in all sizes, and hairbows too, would be far too expensive, I would not be able to stay open. If I label my hairbows as for children 12 and up, would that protect me? And with the clothing, they are nice, paint free fabrics, no lead is possible in them. Do I need to have them tested as well? I keep hearing the law may be changing, and certain things are exempted, but as it stands, small businesses will go under. Can anyone help me understand this better? Thank you!

By: katy

katy — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:48:03 +0000

Children’s apparel is a non-durable. It is not a toy, nor are shoes. Where does it state that clothing and shoes are included in the CPSIA? I can find nothing except the definition of
child care” materials.

By: Cristina

Cristina — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:40:35 +0000

Hi Kathleen,

Thanks again for your awesome information. I really, really appreciate it. So to be stupid – and to be sure I understand, as I was one of the ones under the assumption that MSDS would be enough – all of my manufacturers have to provide with with their own testing certificate, right? I would need XRF testing docs for every product we sell on our site?

I’m still pulling my hair out. I’m surprised I’m not bald.

By: Stacey

Stacey — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 01:13:34 +0000

Kathleen, I appreciate your cautious approach to this issue and will model it in future. And honestly, this has nothing to do with me “liking you” or not. I don’t even know you–it’s SO not personal. I just didn’t appreciate being the link to your mention of “people who spread rumor” and wish you would reconsider making my post the link in that statement. I don’t see information as rumor when it comes directly from the CPSC as well as Congress.

But I do understand your POV and will keep it in mind as I learn more about this law that causing so much pain and confusion.

All the best to you!