We wanted to take a moment to educate our customers a little bit on what is known as The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act and how it affects the printing specifically of YOUTH garments. This federal Act has a lot of components to it that covers various industries, but we wanted to provide some information specific to the screen printing process.
First and foremost this is a FEDERAL MANDATE and everyone is required to comply with it. In some cases we have had customers say our pricing is slightly higher on youth garments, and we have explained the CPSIA requirement as part of the reason to no avail and come to find out some other companies are not following this requirement. That being said, STK Promotions will always comply with this, but there is a slight cost addition to the process for another custom screen that is created PER ORDER. We pride ourselves on our morals and running a business by the book. Therefore if we do lose business because we are a little higher, but following the law, so be it. At least you know we will not compromise on our values.
We have established a flat fee pricing table based on quantity of youth garments on an order to accommodate for this process. We assure you it’s not that expensive, but is something we simply looking to cover our costs for so we can comply.
CPSIA Labeling Requirements – A Brief Overview
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has enacted regulations regarding the labeling of Children’s products that are designed or intended primarily for use by children 12 years of age or younger. These products must have distinguishing permanent marks (generally referred to as “tracking labels”) that are affixed to the product and/or its packaging that provide certain identifying information.
In short, every garment that will likely be used by children 12 or younger must include information which will allow the end-user to determine who manufactured the product. Garment manufacturers already label their items so the garments themselves are already in compliance. For items that are decorated by someone other than the garment manufacturer, a separate label is required that will allow the end-user to determine who decorated the product.
The term “tracking label” is really a misnomer when it comes to sportswear. According to the CPSC, “Labels for textiles must be durable enough to last for the anticipated lifespan of the product if consumers follow the care and handling instructions.” Therefore the “label” must last as long as the garment. And that means we have to permanently adhere the information to the garment. Therefore, we print the “tracking label” information directly on the garment. It is our recommendation to print this “tracking label” information on the inside back hem of most garments. Below is a photo example of what these labels look like.
If, after reading this , you still have questions please give us a call and we will be happy to clarify any detail. Unfortunately, these are not regulations anyone can afford to ignore. Penalties can amount to $100,000.00 per infraction. Therefore, compliance is not an option. STK Promotions will not print any youth garments that do not include proper labeling.
Detailed CPSIA Information from PPAI
As a registered company with PPAI we applaud their leadership in the promotional products business. PPAI has taken a strong leadership role regarding compliance with the CPSC regulations. Visit the Product Responsibility section of the PPAI website for complete, up to date information on tracking labels:
http://www.ppai.org/inside-ppai/corporate-responsibility/product-responsibility/tracking-labels
PPAI Informational Video
PPAI has created a helpful short video on the registration process:
CPSC Information
Information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission on tracking labels can be found here:
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Business–Manufacturing/Business-Education/tracking-label/
CPSC FAQ’s Relevant to Garment Decoration*
Who is responsible for compliance with the tracking label requirement?
The U.S. manufacturer for products manufactured domestically and the importer for products manufactured overseas.
What information needs to be provided on the product and its packaging to meet the tracking label requirement?
The tracking label must contain information that will enable the manufacturer and ultimate purchaser to determine the manufacturer or private labeler, the location and date of production of the product, the cohort information (such as the batch, run number, or other identifying characteristic), and any other information determined by the manufacturer to help determine the specific source of the product.
Must the manufacturer’s name be present on a tracking label?
Yes. The tracking label must contain information that will allow the ultimate purchaser to determine the manufacturer or private labeler, location and date of production of the product, and cohort information (including the batch, run number, or other identifying characteristic.)
Can I comply with tracking requirements by marking my product and packaging with a code and website address where all the required information can be found?
Yes, provided the name of a manufacturer, importer, or private labeler is also identified so that a consumer without access to the Internet can know whom to contact directly to also obtain the required information.
If you post required information to a website address, the website address should be kept “live” and accessible during the expected useful life of the product.
Could hangtags and adhesive labels be used as tracking labels for textile-type items?
No. The law requires that markings with the specified information be permanent. Hangtags and adhesive labels are not permanent. Labels for textiles must be durable enough to last for the anticipated lifespan of the product if consumers follow the care and handling instructions.
*NOTE: These FAQ’s were taken from the CPSC website. The full FAQ list is included at the end of this document, or can be found here.