HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
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HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
I have a small business- Onesies and Baby bibs and use Heat transfers (litho transfers) that I have mfg'ered here in usa. As of Feb. 10 09 there is an official gov't ban on phthalates on stuff for babies under 3 yrs old.
Does anyone know about this? Certificates of Compliance are supposed to be included with every order shipped to retail store, so no way around this. I have thousands of dollars of these damn things sitting here. Not to mention, what will be an alternative? Are there heat transfers that are phthalate and lead compliant?
Anyone on the retail/wholesale blog sites on this one?
Re: HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
I've been trying to compose a sensible response to your question but don't really have a good answer for you.
You might start with the transfer manufacturer and see if they use phthalates in the products. Second read the CPSA website and see. We were concerned with youth sports apparel but it doesn't seem to be covered. Also any trade organizations would be good sources.
OK now for an opinion. I think this law was so broad and far reaching that it is unenforceable and will be delayed until it can be refined. There is so much confusion as to it's application weeding through everything is almost impossible. What is amazing is that most news organizations aren't even touching the subject.
Re: HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
thanks for your email. updated legal info as follows:
phthalate ban does not apply to anything manufactured before Feb 10/09.
ALL garments for anyone under 12, and particularly for babies under 3 yrs old, MUST have a cert of compliance for lead, enclosed with every order to retail stores, and if you sell online, you must get these from your garment manufacturer and have a copy at your place of business also. Its ridiculous, and we all agree, but until the law is more specific and amended, we are legally bound to comply. We sell onesies and the lead compliance applys to the snaps and until further notice, also the fabric. (dumb but true) Your certificate from mfger must list where they had the garments tested. there are sample certs available online for you to send to your mfger, in case they are trying to say this doesn't apply to them. it does.
Any heat transfers (or silk screening etc) done after Feb 10, you HAVE to get a cert from your printer, or heat transfer company, stating that they are lead and phthalate compliant and those certs must be sent to stores and kept on hand at your place of business also.
We already have small indie stores as well as larger chains, that are refusing orders form us unless we are enclosing the certs.
Re: HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
Do you guys know any more on this issue?
Do you think it would be ok for me to have certs from both my garment supplier and also my rhinestone supplier to say they are lead free or have the recommended amount of lead?
I buy blank garments and put my designs on them for all kids from babies to adults, I understand some of this law but if I have certs from the stones and the Tees, is that enough or do I need to test as well?
Re: HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril!
But it's my understanding that even if they have certifications to prove they comply, if you add them to a garment then you have to test also??? So custom kids clothes will be extinct?
Table B - These materials or components can be used (separately or
in combination) and sold (provided they have not been treated or altered
or undergone any processing that could result in the addition of lead):
Wood
Other natural materials such as coral, amber, feathers, fur, leather, etc.
Paper and other materials made from wood or cellulosic fiber
Dyed or undyed textiles (cotton, wool, hemp, nylon, yarn, etc.), including children’s fabric products, such as baby blankets, and non-metallic thread and trim. This does not include products that have rhinestones or other ornaments that may contain lead or that have fasteners with possible lead content (such as buttons, metal snaps, zippers or grommets).
Children’s books that use modern printing processes (CMYK process printing inks). This does not include any part of a book that may contain lead (plastic, metal, or painted parts, such as spiral binding)
Certain educational materials, such as chemistry sets
Precious gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire or emeralds
Semiprecious stones provided that the mineral or material is not based on lead and is not associated with any mineral based on lead
Natural or cultured pearls
Surgical steel and other stainless steel (except stainless steel designated as 303Pb)
Gold, of at least 10 karats
Silver, at least 925/1000 pure
Platinum, palladium, rhodium, osmium, iridium, ruthenium, and titanium
The one I just sent was something that I have just been sent, it seems this law is very unclear and could have been put off until Feb 2011, who knows what is correct now
AND the last messgae says: Re: Confused by new CPSIA laws? I am! Do you sell anything to kids ages 12 and under?
Here you go. I punched into Google search: "The Consumer Product Safety Commission votes to delay for another year — until February 2011".
This will probably give you many other sources to read about it.
This is a discussion about HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril! that was posted in the Heat Press and Heat Transfers section of the forums.
HELP! New Ban on Phthalates! Heat transfers in peril! 
