A Note For Consumers
Hello, Consumer!
The small business artisans would like to give you a quick run-down of what "compliance" means in the USA.
Under the regulations of the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) & CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), nearly all children's products must be tested for various elements to ensure the safety of our children. The elements of importance include: lead, flammability, phthalates, and BPA
The most important of these for children's apparel (including cloth diapers) is lead and flammability. Most textiles in the USA are already tested for lead. Textiles are generally not tested for flammability as the requirements are not based on the textile, but the finished product. Each different piece of fabric must be tested including the same type of fabric, but different pattern.
So what does this mean for purchasing clothing and diapers for children?
Small business artisans are taking care to respect your family and keep each member as safe as they possibly can. This includes registering their businesses in the federal databases and purchasing materials that are compliant under the CPSC/CPSIA regulations.
How do I know who is compliant and who is not?
Just ask! The small business artisans are banding together to show you that we truly care. As such, you should be able to locate a statement on their web-stores. Such statements as "Products are made with CPSIA compliant materials" will let you know that their textiles have been tested by themselves, or they are registered as a small batch manufacturer and have received a statement from their suppliers that the textiles have been tested.
As well, you can easily spot an artisan that is likely to be compliant by their use of labeling. Under the CPSIA and the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), various products are required to have certain information permanently attached to the finished product before it is sent out to you, the consumer.
Each label should enable you to find the following information:
- Who the manufacturer is (usually this is a business logo)
- How to contact the manufacturer (usually a website or RN)
- Where the manufacturer creates the product (City & State or RN)
- When the product was finished
- How to care for the product
- A unique mark or number so you are able to follow recall instructions should the occassion arise.
An 'RN' is a registered number. You are able to call the FTC or search the database on the FTC website to find the manufacturer's information.
Now for the links:
CPSC: http://www.cpsc.gov/
FTC: http://www.ftc.gov/
FDA: http://www.fda.gov/
Thank you for taking the time to read this. It is the hopes of small business artisans that they can encourage you to purchase items that are compliant so they can continue to keep your family as safe as possible.