Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act: Part IV: Textiles

It is my understanding that the CPSC is working tirelessly to clarify the products and materials that should become exempt, including most textiles. They are working on a standard budget, a rediculous deadline, and an absurd amount of information through which they must carefully consider. They have the same goals as the rest of us... to keep kids safe. I'll blog more on this later.

As far as any retail goes-boutique, big box, etsy, ebay, or second hand shops-any thing sold with lead amounts over the limit as of Feb. 10 are considered a "hazardous substance" and therefore unlawful to sell. As a retailer, we are requiring the GCC with any order shipped-per our purchase order. Better to err on the side of caution. While I don't think many will be caught, they will be looking to make an example of someone imo. The CPSC forums on fashionincubator.com have been extremely helpful to us in our research.

I make paper with fibers from plants in my garden, from cotton lint, from ripped blue jeans, etc. Then I make books and or photo albums. There is no lead in the natural product, so what would be a source of lead in my products? I also use semi-precious gems, silver and gold, and the occasional copper. After February 10, I will have to put a label saying these are not intended for kids under 12. Does this not defeat me as an artist/artisan? And, if we truly want to introduce children to all art forms which can later become a small business, are we limiting them in impossible ways. Someone forgot that small businesses do more for the US economy than many large companies. Perhaps that is justifying killing us.

My hope is that eventually all textiles will fall under exemptions for testing. Who knows, though.

Kelly, Testing prices for XRF testing are considerably lower than $1000 each, but the combinations still add up to real money. At least one tester who is also a green products expert and an attorney is offering $5 per test or $100 per hour for testing. I suspect there are others, BUT the type of testing your product needs varies so no random quote is guaranteed to be accurate.

First and for most let me thank you for all that you do, and all the information you put out there for us to read. As a small business owner this is really stressing me out. I'm manufacturer and designer of a small crib bedding line, total of 7 different designs, this new law will be devistating. There is no way for us to be able to pay that kind of money for testing and still continue our business. Seriously..lead in bedding??? Your idea about putting "not intended for use by children under 12 years of age", sounds like a fantastic idea to me. Doesn't sound more ridiculous to me than testing textiles for lead.

There is minimal information available on second-hand sales. I believe that the CPSC is reviewing way too much information right now and I just don't know how any of this will be clear by the February 10th deadline. I'll keep everyone posted as information becomes available.

It is very, very confusing and I can't imagine testing textiles for lead. Another question--what about selling second-hand merchandise? Consignment shops? Are they now just gone? I'm digging around trying to find the answers to these and many other questions but so far there are no clear cut answers.