CPSIA EXEMPTS TEXTILES FROM LEAD TESTING

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has decided to exempt virtually all textile products, including natural and manufactured fibers, from the lead testing requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). In making the announcement, the CPSC said the staff had reviewed hundreds of test reports submitted by interested parties and concluded that most textile products are manufactured using processes that do not introduce lead or result in an end product that would exceed the CPSIA lead limits. The blanket exemption does not apply to all products that may be altered by dyeing or printing, but the commission said the exemption could apply in most circumstances. The CPSC ,on its website, listed the following exempt textile fiber products:• natural fibers - cotton, silk, wool, hemp, flax, ramie, linen, jute, kenaf, bamboo, coir, sisal, kapok, alpaca, llama, mohair, cashmere, angora, camel, horse, yak, vicuna, qiviut and guanaco. • manufactured fibers - rayon, nylon, lyocell, acetate triacetate, rubber, polyester, olefin, nylon, acrylic, aramid, azion and spandex. Components of apparel products such as buttons, snaps, zippers, trim and fasteners are not exempt.

CPSIA COMPLIANCE- IT'S A SNAP!

Now that we have reached the deadline for compliance to the new CPSIA lead content laws we wish to advise you of our understanding and actions we have taken to stay ahead of it. The primary componant that goes onto a garment that bears a lead threat is a snap. All metal snaps require a certain degree of lead in the manufacturing process. Our supplier, Kane M, has researched products and now offers metal snaps that fall under the new minimums. We have received a compliance certificate and are now purchasing only this new product. We are told these new snaps hold up well in most garment dye applications, but , without testing every single possible dye environment, cannot guarantee them in all conditions. Therefor, it is imperitive you test some garments in the dye application you will use for production, to insure you are satisfied with the product. We do not use painted snaps at all.

It is our understanding that the textiles we utilize to manufacture apparel are exempt for the testing requirements, as they have historically shown no jeapardy whatsoever in regards to lead content. If we do need to use zippers or other types of fasteners we will insure we recieve compliance certificates to keep on file.

The intent of the CPSC to protect innocent lives from dangerous products is admirable. However, these laws do not come without costs. The new "lead compliant" snaps will cost us $15-20% more, and we will have to re-evaluate any style that takes snaps at the time of order. Naturally, a style taking only one or two snaps will be minimally impacted, but those requiring more will likely have a small price adjustment.

In addition to the lead issue, the new law has additional requirements for labeling. We must now include the date of manufacture and lot number in the labels. For products in which we make the joker labels, we will be including this information on them. For customers supplying their own labels, we will have to add an additional label to meet the law. We will affix this extra label to the back of your logo label for a professional appearance, at no additional charge. If you want it placed elsewhere there may be a small charge.

Feel free to comment, and to ask any questions that may be related to this subject.