My CPSIA Labeling Law Solution

Well, as many small businesses that create children or baby toys or products have learned, the CPSIA has created the need for "track labels", where the manufacturer now has to have labels that can be used to track merchandise, show when it was made, where it's from, etc. That way the manufacturer can know what materials were used when, if there should ever be an issue with a product. To read more about this law visit..http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/sect103.html

So in light of this, I had to come up with a way I could abide by the law and not spend too much money. Since I'm a hands on person, I decided to continue as I have been, and stamp my own tags!

Before, I had just stamped my company name on the fabric tape and sewed it in. Now I do the same process, but have created a much larger stamp...

-I first, designed a tag template on adobe photoshop, any design software would work.
-I measured the tape and decided how large I wanted the tag to be, and then designed accordingly.
-I uploaded my design to an online stamp company and ordered it, it was very simple and inexpensive.
-I then located a fabric stamp ink pad online that can be heat set to be made permanent. For the separate small initial and date stamps, I just cut up some small translucent/clear stamps you can find at any local craft store in their stamp section.(After everything, not including the twill tape, I spent about $25-30 on stamping materials, but will have them to use for a very long time, so it's not a bad way to go!)

I wanted my name/logo on one side and when folded, the tag would have the rest of the information, such as-

- materials used
- city, state, it was manufactured in
- item id
- date of manufacturing, which was determined to be once the product was finished
I would then stamp the date and item id separate. Above, you can see the tag laying flat open not folded as it would be sewn in to an item. The item ID is "W" and the date of manufacturing of DOM is A9, which to me is August 2009. It unfortunately takes more time than my previous tags, printing the item and dates, but is legal and has more information for the consumer.

A Must Read! CPSIA Update on Lead testing

If you make things for or have children you need to read this! It's a very promising start! fingers crossed!

Ok, So it's a 94 page read..

But what I and so many other soft artisans are looking for is between pages 5 and 25..The addressing of an exemption on testing natural materials and other man-made materials dyed or un-dyed as well as many other product components..Although, if you use binder pigment ink, it does still make screen-printed inks, decals and such still in a list of things to be tested due to the possible materials in the ink binder.

(Easy! Just click on and download, read in adobe reader)

Children's Products Containing Lead; Determinations Regarding Lead Content Limits on Certain Materials or Products; Final Rule, Ballot Vote Sheet, August 6, 2009 <http://www.cpsc.gov/library/foia/foia09/ brief/leadfinalrule.pdf>

Guidance Regarding the CPSIA for small Businesses

Here's a new report put out by the CPSC for FAQ..Pretty easy to understand too!

Guidance on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities

http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html

Quoted in Newspaper Article about CPSIA

I just received an official copy from a friend whose mom gets the paper the article is in, The Post Star in NY. I was shortly interviewed for this article on the CPSIA, and wanted to post it. It was published on Jan 15th. Read the story HERE

Change.org Needs You!

Attention Small Toy makers, Handmade baby Companies, Etsians, People who purchase 2nd hand kids toys, clothing, furniture, books, Mommies, Daddies, Everyone who buys gifts for babies or kids...We need your help to spread the word and vote at Change.org!!!!

Help us Save Small Business From the CPSIA. I ask you to vote and highly recommend you check it out. You can read more and vote for the idea by clicking the following link:

http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

This law will stop many small handmade businesses from existing that create anything for babies or kids under 12 years of age related from existing after February. It is very important for you to know what your government will decide for you and your kids futures! Along with small companies, you be be unable to purchase any kid related material at thrift stores including clothing, toys, games, dolls, shoes, jewelry, used book stores from selling kids books, many large companies will have to discontinue carrying items due to the crazy testing fees, etc small manufacturers will have to pay to keep items legal.
Please help me, Ecoleeko, and many other companies from not disappearing..We all need your help!!!
Mommies..Please pass on to your mommy blogs,friends and groups!!!!!!!!

Search the Handmade Toy Alliance and CPSIA as well for information.
The bill is HR 4040 effective Feb 10th, 2009

The top 10 ideas are going to be presented to the Obama Administration on Inauguration Day and will be supported by a national lobbying campaign run by Change.org, MySpace, and more than a dozen leading nonprofits after the Inauguration. So each idea has a real chance at becoming policy.

Thanks so much for reading. Please vote!!!If you voted once before, you can vote again!

Handmade Toy Alliance Needs your help!

It has recently been brought to my attention that the U.S. Government will be making some serious decisions about the toys available in the U.S. in February...This is important information for U.S. toymakers as well as all Consumers, especially parents of small children..We need everyone to write to their Senators and congressman to save small toy manufacturers! Please visit the links below to find out how and why...

Are you aware that many safe, natural toys &
children's products made or imported by small US
companies will disappear next year? This is due
to needlessly expensive & complicated compliance
requirements contained in the new children's
products safety law. Please learn more and help
us save the natural/specialty children's products industry.
(Excerpt taken from the handmadetoyalliance)

See:
www.handmadetoyalliance.org
www.cpsia-central.ning.com