Post by Misty Henry (Admin) on Nov 4, 2017 19:11:08 GMT -6
It is time to look at our materials. This is probably one of the three most overwhelming parts of the whole process (the other two being tracking and the certificate of compliance). The nice thing is that we can ask ourselves a few questions to determine some of the things we may need. Let's begin.
Is it a clothing item (include things like scarves, aprons, hats, bibs, and cloth diapers)?
- Then we need to look at flammability of wearing apparel. This is not the same as sleepwear flammability (leave this for another day, we can chat about it later).
- Leave the fuzzy stuff (think: flannel, velour, french terry, corduroy) alone unless it is made of only: polyester, acrylic, modaacrylic, nylon, olefin, or wool. If it is flat (think: knit t-shirt or quilting cotton) or made of only those previously mentioned fibers, then you can use it for any clothing.
- If the component is hidden, then it is exempt from lab testing.
Is it a children's (12 years old and under) item?
- We need to focus on lead. There are three types to look at: textiles, paints, and "other".
- In textiles, there isn't much to watch out for because of the long list of exempted fibers. Chances are, if you've heard of the fiber & it is commonly used, it is exempt from lab testing.
- With paints, we want to stay away from things where the paint can be scratched off or cracks when stretched.
- The "other" is things like plastic buckles, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. and they do require lab testing, so shy away from those if you can.
- Again, if the component is hidden, then it is also exempt from lab testing so long as the item does not break apart easily thus exposing that hidden area.
Is it a children's (3 years old and under) item used to facilitate eating or sleeping?
- This only applies to anything plasticized. The most common components are snaps and polyurethane laminate. A new update with the CPSC has permitted some allowance for not testing, but you will need to know exactly what phthalates were used in the manufacturing process.
Is it a children's (12 years old and under) toy?
- There are additional requirements for toys utilizing the ASTM F963-16 publication.
- The most popular requirements deal with use and abuse testing, heavy chemical testing, and small part testing.
Is it a clothing item (include things like scarves, aprons, hats, bibs, and cloth diapers)?
- Then we need to look at flammability of wearing apparel. This is not the same as sleepwear flammability (leave this for another day, we can chat about it later).
- Leave the fuzzy stuff (think: flannel, velour, french terry, corduroy) alone unless it is made of only: polyester, acrylic, modaacrylic, nylon, olefin, or wool. If it is flat (think: knit t-shirt or quilting cotton) or made of only those previously mentioned fibers, then you can use it for any clothing.
- If the component is hidden, then it is exempt from lab testing.
Is it a children's (12 years old and under) item?
- We need to focus on lead. There are three types to look at: textiles, paints, and "other".
- In textiles, there isn't much to watch out for because of the long list of exempted fibers. Chances are, if you've heard of the fiber & it is commonly used, it is exempt from lab testing.
- With paints, we want to stay away from things where the paint can be scratched off or cracks when stretched.
- The "other" is things like plastic buckles, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. and they do require lab testing, so shy away from those if you can.
- Again, if the component is hidden, then it is also exempt from lab testing so long as the item does not break apart easily thus exposing that hidden area.
Is it a children's (3 years old and under) item used to facilitate eating or sleeping?
- This only applies to anything plasticized. The most common components are snaps and polyurethane laminate. A new update with the CPSC has permitted some allowance for not testing, but you will need to know exactly what phthalates were used in the manufacturing process.
Is it a children's (12 years old and under) toy?
- There are additional requirements for toys utilizing the ASTM F963-16 publication.
- The most popular requirements deal with use and abuse testing, heavy chemical testing, and small part testing.