Welcome to Retro Slime Company (RSC)'s guide on ensuring your slime products are safe and compliant with the necessary regulations. Whether you're a fellow slime shop owner or a parent interested in slime safety, this guide will provide you with essential information and insights.

Understanding the Basics

Consumer Product Safety Regulations

  • Starting Point: Familiarize yourself with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States. They oversee the safety of consumer products, and their website (cpsc.gov) is an excellent resource.

Slime and Child Safety

  • Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA): As slimes are often intended for children, they must comply with CPSIA guidelines. A good place to start is here. 

The Testing Process

  • CPSC-Approved Labs: Use a third-party lab approved by the CPSC for testing. A list of approved labs can be found on their site.
  • Our Testing Experience: We started by tested four base slimes - Clear, Jelly, White, and Cloud - along with their containers and labels. The process, from quotation to receiving the report, was efficient, taking less than two weeks.
This is just the start of the testing. Please refer to Third Party Testing Guidelines for more information. RSC test all our slimes prior to production. It's one of the main reasons we don't do restocks each week. It's not possible for us.  

Mandatory Analysis

  • Lead and Phthalates: CPSIA requires lead and phthalates analysis.
  • Additional Assessments: We also opted for a toxicology assessment for comprehensive safety evaluation.

Specific Test Procedures and Requirements

  • Lead Content Testing: All accessible components must be tested for lead content, as per CPSC regulations.
 
  • Testing for Toxic Substances: Products containing chemicals like borax require testing to ensure safe limits.
 
  • Labeling Requirements: Specific labeling, including warnings or age-appropriateness, is necessary.
  • Choking Hazard Warnings: If your slimes contain small parts, appropriate warnings are required.
  • Product Tracking Information: Ensure all products have tracking information for recall efficiency.

Compliance and Certification

Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
  • What is a CPC?: The CPC is a certification that signifies our products meet all applicable federal safety standards.
  • Who Creates the CPC: CPC are created by the manufacturer or importer of the children's product. This certificate is a formal document that declares that the product complies with all applicable children's product safety rules as determined by testing the product in a CPSC-accepted laboratory. The responsibility to ensure that a valid CPC accompanies every product lies with the manufacturer or importer, and they must provide it to distributors and retailers.
  • Why It Matters: This certificate is crucial not only for compliance but for your peace of mind. When you see the CPC on our products, you know that they are not only fun and creative but also safe and reliable.

Global Compliance
International Sales: If you sell internationally, be aware of each country's consumer product safety regulations.
Here are some questions we asked ourselves:
Slime is not just for kids so why did we have to follow the CPSA?
Under section 3(a)(2) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), a children's product means a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. The term “designed or intended primarily” applies to those consumer products mainly for children 12 years old or younger. Whether a product is primarily intended for children 12 years of age or younger is determined by considering the four specified statutory factors. These factors are:
  1. A statement by a manufacturer about the intended use of such product, including a label on such product if such statement is reasonable.
  2. Whether the product is represented in its packaging, display, promotion, or advertising as appropriate for use by children 12 years of age or younger.
  3. Whether the product is commonly recognized by consumers as being intended for use by a child 12 years of age or younger.
  4. The Age Determination Guidelines issued by the Commission staff in September 2002 and any successor to such guidelines.

Ok then I'll just say that my slimes are for adults only then....

The term “for use” by children 12 years or younger generally means that children will physically interact with such products based on the reasonably foreseeable use of such product. Consider if your product is commonly recognized as being for children. Slime is generally perceived as a children's toy, it might be challenging to reclassify it as an adult product. Even if you declare the slime as an adult product, if it ends up being used primarily by children under 13, it might still be classified as a children's product under the CPSA.
The Risks of Non-Compliance
Legal and Financial Consequences
  • CPSA Violations: Non-compliance can lead to legal issues and substantial fines.
  • Civil and Criminal Penalties: These can include significant fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment.
  • Recalls and Market Withdrawal: Non-compliant products may be recalled, affecting your brand's reputation.
  • Lawsuits and Import/Export Restrictions: Non-compliance can result in consumer lawsuits and disruptions in business operations.
Reporting Non-Compliance
  • Report to the CPSC: The CPSC is the primary agency for enforcing product safety standards. Concerned individuals can file a report with the CPSC if they believe a product is unsafe or violates safety regulations. Reports can be filed online through the CPSC's website at saferproducts.gov.
  • Inform the Manufacturer or Retailer: It's often a good idea to contact the manufacturer or retailer of the product directly. Sometimes, companies are unaware of specific issues with their products and can take voluntary actions once informed.
  • Use Online Platforms and Social Media: Reporting concerns on online review platforms and social media can raise awareness among other consumers and potentially prompt the company to address the issue, however, this can lead to misinformation, legal implications, and lack of official oversight so we highly suggest that the following is considered:
    • Ensure that any claims made are factual and based on credible information.
    • Consider contacting the company directly to address concerns before going public, allowing them an opportunity to rectify the issue.
    • Use official channels like the CPSC for reporting safety concerns, as this triggers formal investigation processes.
    • Be mindful of the language and tone used in public posts to avoid legal issues or unnecessary alarm.
Disclaimer Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. For specific guidance, consult with legal experts.