CPSC Offers Guidance on Tracking Label Compliance, Rules on Crystals

The Consumer Products Safety Commission issued guidance last week on how to comply with the tracking label requirements of the Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act. In a statement, new chairman Inez Tenenbaum addressed the key concerns surrounding the tracking label requirements. First, she dispelled the idea that all manufacutrers and products must comply to a blanket labeling system, stating “Section 103(a) does not require a uniform ‘one size fits all’ labeling system”. It is up to each manufacturer to determine how to make the labels “ascertainable” to consumers, she said. The statement also stated that small volume manufacturers and crafters would not need to use the labels but would need to “keep adequate records of the components used in their products.” She also acknowledged the short lead time that vendors have received to comply with the tracking label law given that the guidance was just provided, and added, the commision would take into account the “good faith efforts” of manufacutrers to comply in evaluating compliance. Read her full statement here.

In other CPSIA news, CPSC denied the Fashion Jewelry Trade Association’s request to exempt crystals and glass beads from the CPSIA compliance. Since children could mouth and swallow the crystals and glass beads as they might with any small object and because the lead exposure would vary, Tenenbaum voted to reject the request, according to her offical statement. However, she did state: “We will focus our enforcement activites on crystal and glass bead products designed and intended primarily for chilren six years of age and younger.”

Read the July issue and learn more about: The enduring appeal of keepsake gifts  Communion wear trends Veteran retailers’ recession-busting tips  Plus: Versatile special occasion wear Coming In August: Behind the scenes of the upcoming spring season Recession-busting tips from veteran retailers A statistical analysis of the Canadian Market Swim fashion Plus: The Little Steps Spring ’10 shoe supplement