Q: What CPSIA requirements apply to zippers for children's wear?
Zippers on children's apparel sold in the United States fall under CPSIA rules for lead content and, where applicable, phthalates. The substrate lead limit is 100 ppm for accessible parts, and paint or surface coatings are treated separately with a 90 ppm limit. Metal sliders, pullers and snaps are the components most likely to contain lead, so they need documented testing.
Children's products also require a General Certificate of Conformity or, for items subject to a consumer safety rule, a Children's Product Certificate based on testing at an accredited third-party laboratory. The product must carry a tracking label with the manufacturer, production location and date, which for a zipper means lot traceability back to the chain and slider batches.
Phthalate limits of 0.1 percent apply to certain plasticized components, which can include coated tape or resin parts depending on formulation. Small parts and sharp points also matter for pullers and slider tabs. Confirm the age grading with your buyer before testing, because the applicable requirements change sharply between children's and adult products.