Later this year, you will begin to see an additional label on your children’s clothing. Beginning August 14, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will require manufacturers of children’s products – from clothing to toys to bedding – to attach a label to these products that lets you track their origin.

What the Label Tells You

Tracking labels will be required for products if they are primarily intended for children 12 years of age or younger. The tracking label will allow you to see:

• The manufacturer or private labeler
• Location of production
• Date of production
• Cohort information
• The batch or run number

Most of this information will be more interesting than useful to you unless, somehow, an unsafe product slips through the testing cracks and your child is harmed. In this case, the labels would help in tracing the origin of a product, notifying other consumers that there is a problem with a certain batch of clothing, and – hopefully – correcting the problem at its source.

CPSIA Background

The CPSIA is a law created to establish consumer product safety standards and other safety requirements for products used by children under the age of 12. Many aspects of the law have been controversial with designers and manufacturers, particularly small business, because of concerns and costs related to putting the laws into practice.

Despite the numerous challenges involved in implementing the law, it is well-intentioned. At its most basic level, the law aims to protect children from toxic chemicals – such as lead and phthalates – and physical harm from toys, bedding, and clothing that were not produced with safety in mind. In other words, the law:

• Bans products containing lead and regulates use of phthalates in certain products
• Sets rigid safety standards for toy and nursery product design
• Requires third-party testing of products to confirm that they are safe
• Requires labeling of children’s products regarding origin or safety hazards

Section 103

Section 103 of the CPSIA deals specifically with tracking labels for children’s products.

It requires that the tracking label provide, “to the extent practicable,” marks that will enable consumers to see the manufacturer or private labeler, the location and date of production of the product and cohort information.

As a designer, Section 103 means that you have some things to consider this summer. You might want to check out Kate Fasinella’s recent post on the Fashion Incubator blog – CPSIA: Printable labels for August requirement – which provides information on how designers can affordably print labels to comply with the new law.

As a consumer, Section 103 gives you more information about the clothing you buy for your children. At the very least, having their name on a product gives manufacturers a reason to ensure that their products are safe.