CPSIS

You've probably heard lots about it in the last few weeks, with virtually every etsy seller and maker of children's toys and apparel worrying about the future of their business. Well, we have some good news! For now at least. Read the minute details here.

If you haven't heard about it, here is the very bare bones explanation:

The US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (``CPSIA'') states that products intended for use by children under 12 must not contain more than 600 ppm lead and 1000 ppm phthalates. The original ruling forced manufacturers of children's items to test each product line they offer for lead and phthalates content as of Feb 10, 2009, or face fines and possible criminal prosecution.

The ruling on January 30, 2009 (in the link above) delays the testing requirements by one year. Hopefully during that time, the law can be reviewed and amended so that some items we KNOW are safe can be exempt. This does not mean that the coast is clear and everything can get back to normal. Manufacturers and sellers MUST NOT sell items that do not fall within the limits for lead and phthalates content. And if the items they sell are found to exceed those limits they will face fines and/or prosecution.

As a Mamique Designs' client, you can rest assured that I will not sell any products that do not meet industry and legal safety standards. I am in talks with a local lab to test several of my items (including buttons) just to confirm that they are in fact safe, but I am thankful that I do not have to test every batch of yarn and colorway I receive. My intention was to suspend sales to US customers as of February 10th if no changes or exceptions were made. I am thrilled that I can continue offering my products to customers from the US!

I think I will offer a sale on Feb 10th, just to celebrate :-)