What does it mean that you are CPSC compliant?
CPSC stands for the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The CPSC has regulations and standards in place that manufacturers – including Small Batch Manufacturers – follow in order to make sure that the products they create are safe.
Doll clothes are considered to be primarily intended for children – though I, and many other adults, also enjoy dressing up dolls – and any products for children 12 and under are subject to strict lead testing requirements.
As a Small Batch Manufacturer, I certify that any materials I use to create the doll clothes that I sell are either exempt from lead testing or have been tested to be lead free. I also label all of my products with a batch number so that, in the unlikely event of a recall, you will know if the particular product you purchased is affected.
How could doll clothes contain lead?!?
The short answer is: it is unlikely that they do. Many natural and man-made fibers are exempt from testing because the process to create them is considered to be safe. The cotton, spandex and polyester blend fabrics that I primarily use in doll clothing are all exempt from testing. That’s the good news!
Snaps, zippers, buttons, vinyl, foam, and any textiles which are not on the exemption list, however, must be tested for lead content. That’s the tough part – if I buy a zipper to create a doll jacket, it’s impractical to send that single zipper out to be lead tested before using it. As a registered Small Batch Manufacturer, I am able to purchase these supplies from manufacturers who can provide me with certifications that their products have been tested by approved third-party labs, rather than sending them to a lab to be tested myself.
Are there any other safety considerations for doll clothes besides lead?
Doll clothes and shoes – especially shoes – are small. My labels and packaging state that they are recommended for ages 5 and up. Buttons, snaps, and even some of the littlest doll shoes I make are all small enough to pose a choking hazard to children aged 3 and under. Please be sure if you have a child that small in your home that they do not have access to these products. Your children’s safety is very important to me!
How can I learn more?
If you’re interested in learning more about the CPSC and how it pertains to small businesses, the CPSC has a great resource page you can visit: