The T-Shirt Lady » CPSIA

CPSIA Regulations & closing down children’s tee section on website

tshirtlady — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:47:37 +0000

I’ve had information that by August 14, retailers must have permanent labels on all of their children’s products – including information about when the item was manufactured – what location and what run – all the tee shirts that I have came from different times, and I have no clue as to when they were made, nor what the run number is.

Same with the embroidery thread.

And of course all the cotton fabric I have was purchased at a number of locations and times.

Someone asked me yesterday that since I was using textiles, wasn’t I exempt. There seems to be conflicting answers. However, I think what’s going to happen, is that in Feb 2010 – all items must be tested. That’s not an option for the tee shirts I use – since I have no idea which shirts that I have on hand were made at the same time – my inventory of blank tee shirts for children, turns over fairly quickly for some sizes and not for others. Do I test all of my tee shirts at once? What happens when I order more? Do those need to be tested?

Another thing that bothers me, is that each item needs to be permanently labeled with my store name, my name, contents, phone number, etc. Sewing a label is not an option as that can be taken off. So on a custom tee shirt for a child, I’m supposed to use permanent marker? I don’t think so!

I could be wrong, and all of this will change when congress decides that their regulations are too convoluted. But at this point – I’d rather take the safe route, not open myself up for lawsuits, and just fold my hand.

So as of August 14, 2009 – I will no longer be offering tee shirts for children – in any way on my website. You still have 8 days, in which to order children’s tee shirts – be sure to check out my website Sandi’s T’s and order while you still can!

Because I offer crib sets, toddler throws and bows for infants – I’m now in touch with the companies involved, to see if they will be able to comply with the upcoming labeling of items.

Continued Concern for Child Safety

tshirtlady — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:40:09 +0000

Update: We have found out that textiles have been excluded from the required testing – thus we have reinstated our Children’s Tee Shirts and Baby Bedding and Toddler Throws. Because we do not use snaps, zippers, and other possible lead enbellishments, and neither do the baby bedding – we will continue to offer them.

Since last mentioned, the CPSIA – the new law that goes into effect tomorrow – Feb 10 – about testing for lead in Children’s products, we at Sandi’s T’s have removed some of our selection of children’s items, pending notification from manufacturers that their products are in compliance.

You can see more information about what we have received or not received at CPSIA Information

You, as our customer, can be assured that we will only sell those Children’s items that are deemed safe!

Sandi

More about CPSIA

tshirtlady — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:24:17 +0000

Here are 2 very good posts about the situation with CPSIA – the consumer protection law that goes into effect 10 Feb, regarding all products made for children 0-12 years of age. Not just toys…

Why Should I Care About CPSIA? from I See My Life

As The #CPSIA Turns from Happy Panda Baby

Write your congressman, keep up to date with this law. It affects you!

Sandi

Save Small Business from CPSIA

tshirtlady — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:50:38 +0000

In 2007, large toy manufacturers who outsource their production to China and other developing countries violated the public’s trust. They were selling toys containing dangerously high lead content, unsafe small parts, and chemicals that made kids sick.

The United States Congress rightly recognized that the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) lacked the authority and staffing to prevent dangerous toys from being imported into the US. So, they passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in August 2008. Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in children’s products, mandates third party testing and certification, and requires manufacturers of all goods for children under the age of 12, to permanently label each item with a date and batch number.

All of these changes will be fairly easy for large, multinational companies to comply with. Large manufacturers who make thousands of units of each item have very little incremental cost to pay for testing and updating their systems to include batch labels. Small businesses however, will likely be driven out of business by the costs of mandatory testing, to the tune of as much as $4,000 or more per item. And the few larger manufacturers who still employ workers in the United States face increased costs to comply with the CPSIA, even though American-made toys had nothing to do with the toy safety problems of 2007.

Anyone who produces or sells any of the following new or used items will be required to comply with the law: toys, books, clothing, art, music, educational supplies, materials for the learning disabled, bicycles, and more. Any uncertified item intended for children under the age of 12 will be considered contraband after February 10, 2009. It will be illegal to sell or give these items away to charities, and the government will require their destruction or permanent disposal, resulting in millions of tons of unnecessary waste, and placing an enormous strain on our landfills.

There is a clear disconnect between the sweeping nature of this law, and the narrow range of products that were problematic in 2007. The CPSIA applies standards that were put in place in reaction to the sale of toys contaminated with lead paint and toxic plastics. Rather than focus on these materials, this law imposes a guilty until proven innocent mentality on all children’s products by imposing mandatory testing and certification, and in the process will kill an entire industry.

Thriving small businesses are crucial to the financial health of our nation. Let’s amend the CPSIA so that all businesses large and small are able to comply and survive!

Vote Now at Change.org