For all toy makers

[NC Scroller]

Looks like you either go and register or stop making them effective 01/01/2012. While I doubt the FED will go after anyone selling a couple toys at craft fairs or market I would be more worried about some kid getting ill, not the toys fault, and some sue happy lawyer getting involved because you are selling "illegal" toys.


CPSC Launches Registry for Small Batch Children's Product Manufacturers

[wood-n-things]

I've been doing some research on this and I will stop putting paint on my toys unless I have a sign posted that says these toys are not intended for use by children under 12 years of age. I'm certainly not going to stop creating toys and I'm not spending hundreds of dollars to test acrylic paints when the paint manufacturer already has.

[sawitall]

I found a couple of finishes to put on its not paint so all toys just look like bare wood first one is mineral oil (baby oil it has fragrance in it though)and bees wax second one is olive oil and bees wax brings out the wood grain and smooths surface nothing toxic in finish just a little less colorful go to toymakers press web and they have the recipe for first I just substitute olive oil for mineral oil dont seem to have any probs so far

[Catlyn]

So if you manufacture 10 of those little toy wooden cars to sell you are required to register for doing it.
The requirement says if you made LESS than 1 million dollars in a calendar year and manufactured less than 7500 units.

My word! Just when I was fixing to get started good. If you register somebody's going to be coming around and looking, and then there will be a whole lot more rules they'll shove down your throat. Probably even confiscate your saws. I'm not putting my name on any government list.

[sawdustus]

To err is human, to really foul up requires a set of government regulations that make no sense.

Looks like I am going to have to not put any finish on toys or games and just tell people that if they want it to look good, they will have to put a finish on themselves.


george

[wood-n-things]

One thing I have found that some folks are doing and it is legal. They are putting a disclaimer on their product This item is not suitable for children under the age of 12. This seems to have been upheld as legal and even large manufacturers are doing it now like model railroad kit manufacturers.

Now I am not supporting this mindset to allow us to make unsafe toys because that is not my intent but there has to be a legal work around for folks who make onesies and twosies of an item. The current law (which goes into effect in just a few days 1/1/12) says 1 item from each batch must be tested. They do not however define a batch. So I suppose you could test 1 item and have a continuous batch in progress which is ridiculous.

I have sent an e-mail requesting information on how to get the documentation from suppliers who make the paint and other finishes we use, as i understand the ruling: if they (the manufacturer of acrylic paint for instance) have tested there product, we can use their documentation as proof we are in compliance.

I just do not know how to acquire this documentation from different suppliers to have on hand. I'll let you know when i figure it out. Until then
This item is not suitable for children under the age of 12. Will be on all of my items. Happy New year.

BTW This is my personal opinion and in no way reflects the views or opinions of Fox Chapel or Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts magazine. Since it is their forum i thunk I should clear that up before i got in a ringer...LOL

[Catlyn]

Well, some of the little toy cars and trucks I wanted to make a 12 year old would
laugh at if he got as a gift.
When they get up around 12 they're mostly into video games by then.

One thing I have found that some folks are doing and it is legal. They are putting a disclaimer on their product This item is not suitable for children under the age of 12. This seems to have been upheld as legal and even large manufacturers are doing it now like model railroad kit manufacturers.

Now I am not supporting this mindset to allow us to make unsafe toys because that is not my intent but there has to be a legal work around for folks who make onesies and twosies of an item. The current law (which goes into effect in just a few days 1/1/12) says 1 item from each batch must be tested. They do not however define a batch. So I suppose you could test 1 item and have a continuous batch in progress which is ridiculous.

I have sent an e-mail requesting information on how to get the documentation from suppliers who make the paint and other finishes we use, as i understand the ruling: if they (the manufacturer of acrylic paint for instance) have tested there product, we can use their documentation as proof we are in compliance.

I just do not know how to acquire this documentation from different suppliers to have on hand. I'll let you know when i figure it out. Until then
This item is not suitable for children under the age of 12. Will be on all of my items. Happy New year.

BTW This is my personal opinion and in no way reflects the views or opinions of Fox Chapel or Scrollsaw Woodworking & Crafts magazine. Since it is their forum i thunk I should clear that up before i got in a ringer...LOL

[wood-n-things]

I agree and we cannot dictate to parents what age they think the item is relevant for, now can we?

[HAMMER]

We may not dictate but:

The Gov. seems to think that they can dictate to the parents and to everyone else what is and is not relevent to everyone on any topic....

Vote! I do.

I am trying very hard to keep this as a non-political discussion, please help me keep it that way. Thanks!

[HAMMER]

Please clear this up for me if possible.

toys made from raw wood unfinished are NOT subjected to this but with a coating on them you have to have test results saying it isn't toxic... is this right.


would tis apply to christmas ornaments that a child could pull off a tree?

should I have a release signed by the adult... assuming they are compatent to sign..


I find gov. doc.s had to understand.....

[showland]

What is classified as a toy, is a puzzle a toy?

[wood-n-things]

Hammer,
Yes as far as I know, unfinished toys are exempted from testing. I'm still trying to find out if the glues we use such as titebond have to be tested or if we can use the manufacturers testing for glue. So far it is unclear to me, however i have found conflicting reports about piggy backing off products testing certifications.


Showland,
It is my understanding puzzles are considered toys.

[NC Scroller]

I have been following this very closely for a wood working club I belong to. If the toy has no finish at all it is exempt from the lead testing. This applies to toy made for sale or donations to charitable organizations (Toys for Tots, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc). As soon as you apply a sticker, decal, plastic component, or any finish at all you are subject to the testing requirements.

BTW you can make all the painted toys you want for your family and friends. They just can't be sold or donated.

Inappropriate comment removed.

[wood-n-things]

Small batch manufacturers, defined as those who earned $1 million or less in total gross revenues from sales of consumer products in 2011, and who produced in total no more than 7,500 units of at least one consumer product in 2011 can register for calendar year 2012 at SaferProducts.gov. Qualifying small batch manufacturers are not required to third party test for compliance with certain children’s product safety rules during 2012 for products which they produced no more than 7,500 units of in the previous calendar year.

This new registry does not exempt small batch manufacturers from ensuring that their products comply with these mandatory standards. Small batch manufacturers must still provide a certificate of conformity, in which the manufacturers certify in writing that their products comply with the applicable regulations. However, except where required by law, the certificate does not have to be based on third party testing.


It would appear that if you register and qualify you will be exempted from 3rd party testing for 2012. This may be worth investigating.

[will8989]

I found a couple of finishes to put on its not paint so all toys just look like bare wood first one is mineral oil (baby oil it has fragrance in it though)and bees wax second one is olive oil and bees wax brings out the wood grain and smooths surface nothing toxic in finish just a little less colorful go to toymakers press web and they have the recipe for first I just substitute olive oil for mineral oil dont seem to have any probs so far

I would use the Quote thingy, but don't know how it works, so I'll just copy and paste. Using vegetable oil, olive oil or any other kind of cooking oil can turn rancid over time. That is why it is not recommended to use as a finish or to clean wood cutting boards. Bees wax is ok BUT people are allergic to bees, so would they also be allergic to bees wax? Same with walnut oil - people are allergic to nuts as well as nut oil. I wouldn't even think of using baby oil but perhaps others have. What were your resuults? I do believe Tite Bond glue has a statement on the label that it is food safe and can be used in cutting boards, etc. As for smooth surfaces, that can be accomplished by sanding. My husband has a statement that he keeps reminding me of as he knows how I hate to sand: Sanding is a FINISHING step not a CORRECTION step.

As for putting my name on some sort of registery. I don't think so. So, therefore, I don't make toys except for the grandchildren. Insurance is cheap compared to what you can lose. My liability policy is for $1,000,000 and only costs $400 a year. Just the cost of doing business.