What is the CPSIA? » manufacturer http://www.whatisthecpsia.com Explaining the Facts and Dispelling the Myths about the CPSIA Sat, 26 Feb 2011 06:22:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.1 en hourly 1 What does component testing mean? http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-component-testing-mean http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-component-testing-mean#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:29:44 +0000 wackyhermit http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/?p=219 “Component testing” means testing the components of a product rather than testing an entire finished product.  For example, if you make a baby dress using fabric, thread, and a zipper, with component testing you’d test only the fabric, thread, and zipper for lead.

It is currently unclear whether CPSC will allow component testing to be used for CPSIA compliance.  Certainly component testing makes sense for products where the manufacturing process is unlikely to introduce lead to the finished product, such as apparel and handmade toys, and for product lines that use the same material in more than one product, such as matching baby slings and nursing pillows.  We are still awaiting guidance from the CPSC on this matter.

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]]> http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-component-testing-mean/feed 0 What does upstream certification mean? http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-upstream-certification-mean http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-upstream-certification-mean#comments Sun, 02 Aug 2009 21:12:19 +0000 wackyhermit http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/?p=417 “Upstream certification” means being allowed to use the test results of a manufacturer of supplies to certify that a product is lead-free or phthalate-free.  For example, if you made a shirt and you certified that the shirt was lead-free because the fabric, thread, and button manufacturers had tested these materials and found them to be lead-free, you would be using upstream certification instead of your own testing.

It is unclear whether CPSC will allow upstream certification for CPSIA compliance.  CPSIA specifically states that the manufacturer of the children’s product is responsible for getting third party testing on their finished product.  Certainly it would make sense, especially for small volume manufacturers who carefully source their materials.  However, it may not be permissible under CPSIA.

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]]> http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/what-does-upstream-certification-mean/feed 0 Who provides the GCC? http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/who-provides-the-gcc http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/cpsia-basics/who-provides-the-gcc#comments Sat, 23 May 2009 19:59:59 +0000 whimsicalwalney http://www.whatisthecpsia.com/?p=260 The manufacturer is responsible for providing the general certificate of conformity (GCC). This has created some confusion for many companies because of how the CPSC’s defines a “manufacturer.”

Please remember: By embellishing or adding anything to an item, you become the manufacturer and therefore have to provide a GCC.

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