CPSC Compliance
Did you know that the federal government regulates children’s items, including toys, accessories and clothing? Not all small businesses actually follow these regulations…Solid Kids Co. does! These regulations dictate what fabric, snaps, zippers, etc. can be used on our items.
What is the CPSC?
CPSC stands for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Commission has specific requirements regarding components and labeling for children’s items. Third party testing is required unless you or the materials you use meet certain requirements, such as are set forth in the regulations and those set forth for Small Batch Manufacturers. The CPSIA is the act that gave the CPSC more regulatory and enforcement tools, as well as adding to several statutes.
What is a Small Batch Manufacturer?
A Small Batch Manufacturer is a manufacturer whose total gross revenues from the prior calendar year (e.g., calendar year 2018 sales to qualify for calendar year 2019) from the sale of all consumer products is $1,151,088 or less and attests that it manufactured no more than 7,500 units of the covered product. A Small Batch Manufacturer can register to obtain relief from certain third party testing requirements for children’s products. Solid Kids Co. is a registered Small Batch Manufacturer. Although Solid Kids Co. is exempt from certain testing requirements, we are still required to certify that precautions are taken to be compliant. The process involves a lot of paperwork and back-end handling on our end, but it ensures that you are getting only the best when you shop with Solid Kids Co.
What testing requirements are there?
Under CPSC regulations, natural fibers and items are exempt from testing for lead. Extensive testing revealed that the processes used for making textiles from these materials does not involve lead. This means that a lot of materials we use do no require testing as the process to create them has been deemed safe. Other materials, such as polyester and nylon, have also been tested and are included on the exempt materials list. Buttons, snaps, zippers and PUL (polyurethane laminate) have to be tested for lead, BPA and phthalate content (where applicable and depending on use) if they are to be used for children’s products.
Flammability testing is not required on plain surface textiles (such as quilting cotton, jersey or cotton spandex), as long as they are over 2.6 oz per square yard. Sleepwear for children 9 months and under has the same flammability requirements as regular clothing. Fabrics with pile (a non-smooth surface, such as flannel, fleece, etc.) require flammability testing. Hats, bows and other headwear is not considered wearing apparel.
How can you tell if a business is CPSC/CPSIA compliant?
Ask! Most businesses either have a statement on their website, or listings, although this is not required.
There is also special labeling requirements which vary depending on the item. Every item in our shop has it’s own unique identification number which is included on a tag. This tag should be permanently attached to the item (with a few exceptions). The tag includes the manufacturer’s name, a form of contact, where the item is created and when the item was made. This information keeps track of your item and, if there is ever a recall on any of my supplies, you can use that number to see if any of your items are affected. Additional information may be found on other forms of tags include fiber content and care instructions.
We are proud to say Solid Kids Co is CPSC safety compliant and you can be confident in your purchase!
Futher Information
If you have any questions, send us an email at hello@solidkids.co or by following these links: