Tuesday, November 11, 2008

How Will the Consumer Product Safety Act 2008 Affect You, the Crafter?


On November 12, 2008 the Mandatory third party testing will go into effect. This act created new product safety requirements that apply to ALL manufacturers, retailers,importers and private labelers who currently or intend on doing business in the United States. These regulations apply to you regardless of form of venue. This means even the crafters.

This will require anyone manufacturing items for children to have a third party test for lead and flammability. It must be a certified accredited laboratory.

One must include certification upon sending a product.

We all want our children safe. This act is for your children, my children and if we want to have grandchildren!

At the same time it is going to effect the smaller businesses such as those on Etsy and other people that make and sell handmade items for children and babies. The testing could cost more than some may make in a year on their product! I hate to think of not seeing the beautiful and creative dolls and stuffed animals that people make and sell, not to mention the adorable baby clothes and those nice little diapers that replace the disposables and keep them out of the landfills.

The act mentioned also bans pthalates. I have no idea what it is exactly but that it is in paints and shampoo and soap products. I have no idea if this will or will not effect the many handmade soap makers.

I wondered, if someone purchases fabric from a company that is certified and they send certification to you and you make a product from this are you then required to obtain additional certification or is the manufacturer of the fabrics good enough.

There are a lot of things to be considered here and I would like to know your opinions about it.

If you handmake any of these products how do you plan to meet this standard? How will it affect your current business and will you be able to continue your business?

For more info on the Consumer Protection Act 2008
http://www.cpsc.gov/businfo/cfr111008.pdf
http://cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/testing.html

6 comments:

Drew said...

Wow I didn't know anything about this! I hope it doesn't affect Etsy too much...I love the toys, clothes, and other kids stuff people come up with on here!

Rascallion said...

I had no idea. I guess I better get doing some research and such.

LiPeony said...

I read the post about it... darn that stinks! All my origami paper is from Japan... the whole thing is in Japanese... doh! Great research and for giving the heads up! =D

Simply Chimica said...

Great posting.. I'll have to search for more info.. thanks

OurWanderingAdventures said...

saw this post on the forums yesterday, great pic by the way in the posting!

moxylyn said...

Whoa. Marking this to read (and check into) later. Curious what changes I need to make now...