CPSC Extends CPSIA Lead Content Testing and Certification for another year!

I haven’t had time to digest this yet but I had to post that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has voted to extend the lead content testing and certification stay for an additional year, or until 2/10/11.  This should provide welcome relief to many, many manufacturers. This means while children’s products must meet the [...]

Mama Got Her Gun on Fox & Friends

I can’t believe I never blogged about this. Really can’t believe it. So, just a little bit late, I’m excited to announce that I appeared on Fox & Friends on July 18, 2009. I was supposed to talk about chemicals in common household products and simple steps to reduce exposure, but we got a little [...]

TheSmartMama – CPSIA Solutions – XRF Testing for Lead Content CPSIA Compliance

Okay, so this is a service pitch.  Just skip it if you are not in the market for lead content testing.  As you know, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 set mandatory lead content standards for all children’s products sold or distributed for sale in the United States, among other requirements. While the [...]

CPSIA FAQ #2: Do I have to test products manufactured before February 10, 2009?

Updated January 15, 2009.  My husband actually read my blog, and said my answer below wasn’t that clear.  So I’ll try again. Second in my so far pretty popular Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) frequently asked questions is: FAQ #2:  Do I have to test my existing inventory for lead? So, as you probably [...]

XRF Testing Services for CPSIA Compliance

Updated May 17, 2009  TheSmartMama offers XRF testing services for lead content for compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).  I offer the services by mail and in person. The cost is $5 per test or $100 per hour. Generally, hourly rate is more cost effective. I photograph the product to be tested, [...]

CPSC Proposes Exempting Certain Materials from Lead Content Testing

On Christmas Eve, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offered some manufacturers a Christmas gift and some holiday cheer - a proposal to exempt certain materials from the lead content requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Basically, the CPSC staff is proposing that the CPSC find that certain materials do not contain lead at [...]

Update on Home Lead Testing Kits

Consumer Reports released a report of its testing of home lead test kits, and found that three of the five home lead test kits were a "useful though limited screening tools if you are worried about specific items in your home."  The story indicates that Homax Lead Check and the Lead Check Household Kit (made by [...]

CPSC Finds Home Lead Test Kits Unreliable

Today the Consumer Product Safety Commission  (CPSC) issued a press release reporting that the home lead check test kits are unreliable.  The CPSC found that of 104 total test results, fifty six (56) were false negatives – that is, reporting no lead present when in fact lead was present.  Two (2) reported false positives – [...]