Being CPSIA compliant

[mommy2-4]

I spent all last night trying to read up on the CPSIA on this forum and others, and gave myself a big huge headache.

I just opened an Etsy store, and now I'm ready to take everything down because of everything I read. Luckily I only have a few things listed, so its not that big of a deal if I have to take something off.

I have a few questions since I'm new at this - and most of you ladies have been following this whole CPSIA issue longer than I, so any input would be very helpful!

My first question is I have read a lot of different posts where people ask if a certain item (rinestones, etc) are CPSIA compliant. So does this mean, if every piece of the item you make is compliant(and you have certs for each thing), then its ok to sell?

So in order to be compliant you have to:
1. Make sure that all items that go into a piece are compliant.
2. Put the correct info (DOM and all that stuff) and warnings on your labels.

To me, that doesn't sound too bad. But I also don't have tons and tons of items already made like a lot of you do, so I can see where this could be really horrible for you.

Also, I think that I have read somewhere (I forget where I was on so many different posts and websites last night) that fabrics and ribbons (textiles) are excluded? Is this correct?

One more question - I make nursing covers and I am wondering if these have to be compliant? They are really for the Mom to use, not the baby.

Thanks for any help!!!

[Wendy523]

sounds like you got the most of it. Yes, ribbons and fabrics are exempt as long as there are no metallic threads and are not screen printed as some printed ribbons are.

Even if you use all exempt materials you'll need to still label.

It's really not that hard to follow the law right now. We'll have to wait to see if anything changes in February when the stay is over and we will need to test our own items

Not sure about the nursing cover. I can see it both ways. I'm sure at the least they would need the FTC labels.

[ChrissiesCustomCreations]

I have a question too...I was going to try and set up a excel spreadsheet for everything I make to keep track of batches. dates, materials etc...and well to say the least I am at a loss. Does anyone have an excel sheet that they use that would be willing to share with me?? I searched and I don't know if I'm not putting in the correct keywords or what but came up blank I know it's alot to ask but I S**K at excel...I'm great at putting info in no so good at creating the spreadsheet LOL


TIA

[Princess Babies Bowtique]

I use google docs spreadsheet, which isn't as nice as excel, but hey, it was free

for the column header names I have:

date/batch lot number/type of product/line name/thread type/hardware attachment/adhesive/ribbon manufacturer/color/extra embellishment one/extra embellishment two

I include the manufacturer or store name as well. Example: under the adhesive column I would input "surebonder hot glue."

You can name yours whatever you like and switch them around, that's just the order that worked for me. Depending on what you're making, you may need to add extra columns.

A trick with a spread sheet is to always use the same words or phrase each time you input so you can search for all the entries of it later if you need to. For example, for a sally's clip, always input "sally's clip" (or whatever you choose). Don't one time input "sally's clip" and the next time put "alligator clip" and then the next time put "single prong." As time goes on you won't be able to use the search function that is really valuable in excel.

You can make your own little legend or key to help you remember what you call each item. Excel will autofill for you, too; big time saver. Remember to use your copy and paste if you made a lot of the same item; even bigger time saver!

I figured as long as I had to do it, I would put down everything I could think of. It may not all be necessary but I would rather err on the side of caution and have too much than not enough.