Etsy issues new warning, sellers should pay attention to product compliance

Etsy is a platform known for its handcrafted products. While sellers are unleashing their creativity, product compliance is the first thing they should pay attention to, especially the potential safety hazards. Sellers should be cautious. Recently, Etsy reminded all sellers on the platform to keep abreast of local, state and federal laws, especially those regarding product safety .

In doing so, Etsy highlighted a federal law called the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials Act ( LHAMA ) , which defines art materials as “any substance represented by its manufacturer or repackager as suitable for use in any stage of the creation of any visual or graphic art, in any media.”

More specifically, federal regulator the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) considers art materials if the product's packaging, promotion or marketing includes the following: ceramics and clay, chalk, pencils, colored pencils, crayons, glue ( including white craft glue ) , jewelry making kits, markers , paints, painting kits, polymer clay kits, watercolor trays and some stickers .

If a seller manufactures or repackages art materials or products containing art materials, it must ensure that the art material’s formulation is reviewed to determine if it may cause chronic adverse health effects.

According to Etsy , the CPSC generally does not enforce LHAMA requirements for tools used to make art (such as grinders, chisels, pottery wheels, kilns, molds, etc.) or items such as paper, cloth, yarn, etc. , unless they are processed in a way that could expose the user to hazardous chemicals .

On the other hand, when selling products that are flammable, irritating, or contain chemicals, sellers must include specific warnings on the label in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). In addition, child-resistant packaging is also necessary for some products, such as packaging that is difficult for children under 5 years old to open but easy for adults and the elderly to open.

Etsy also lists corresponding requirements for other products such as skin care products and food-related products. In order to ensure product compliance, sellers can learn more in detail through the platform's seller manual and other channels to avoid product safety issues.

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