Product Safety

In response to lead tainted toys coming over from China, the CPSIA act was passed August 14, 2008 to ensure toy safety. The aim of the act is to eliminate lead and pthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) from children's goods. All goods that are intended for children must be under 100 ppm lead.

Natural fiber goods are inherently free of lead and the Consumer Product Safety Commission recognizes this. In a January 9, 2009 bulletin, the CSC exempted natural fiber goods from the certification process. The Federal Register/Vol. 74, No. 10 in full, which further details these exceptions.

However, above and beyond the CPSIA act WE HAVE TESTED ALL OUR FABRICS, WOOL, YARNS AND FELTS. ALL THESE PRODUCTS TESTED TO BE FREE OF LEAD OR ANY HEAVY METALS. These products are in full compliance with CPSIA requirements.

It is important to us that you know our products are lead and pthalatefree and are safe for our children. It is part of our commitment to green policy not to carry products that harm the environment, either for our children or us. WE also seacrh for fibers that have been sustainable and humanely grown. For more complete information, see indivitdual product listings below.

National Nonwovens Wool Felt - Certification is on file that all felts are in compliance with the revised CPSC regulations, as well as California proposition 65. An active program is maintained to ensure all products are compliant.

European Felt Suppliers - This wool felt is certified Pure New Wool by the "International Wool Secretariat". It is certified Free of Harmful Substances by Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Test-No 990585, which exceeds the levels of purity required by the CPSC regulations.

About the Oeko-Tex® Standard 100: The Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 is a globally uniform testing and certification system for textile raw materials, intermediate and end products at all stages of production. The tests for harmful substances comprise substances which are prohibited or regulated by law, chemicals which are known to be harmful to health, and parameters which are included as a precautionary measure to safeguard health. A tested textile product is allocated to one of the four Oeko-Tex® product classes based on its intended use. The more intensively a product comes into contact with the skin, the stricter the human ecological requirements it must fulfil. Manufacturers are entitled to mark successfully tested products or article groups with the Oeko-Tex® label and to advertise in other forms as long as it has been proven within the extensive laboratory tests that all components, including accessories, comply with the specified test criteria without exception. A certificate which is issued applies for one year and can be renewed as often as required.

Acid dyes are OEKO TEK 100 certified to standards 1 and 2, certification is on file. Sheep are raised humanely, not mulesed, and are sheared carefully.

 

Wool Roving

Acid dyes are OEKO TEK 100 compliant.They are weak acid dyes that are fixed with only common white vinegar and heat. Fibre, yarn and textiles dyed can be worn against the skin without risk. We are in close co-operation with all our suppliers of dyes to ensure they are safe to use and wear. The dyes comply with the strict EU regulations and the manufacturers confirm that cloth dyed with the Ashford dyes can be certified under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This standard is the most widely known standard for certification of ecologically-safe clothing.

All Corriedale fleece, sliver and yarns are from New Zealand sheep. The wool is from sheep that have not been mulesed. It is processed in New Zealand.

Corriedale sliver is a 100% New Zealand product with wool from pasture-fed Corriedale sheep. We know many of the farmers – some of whom have farmed the land for generations. They take great pride in the quality of their wool and the high standard of animal husbandry. The sheep are well cared for and are not mulesed.

After the sheep are shorn, on the farm, the wool is carefully skirted and checked. Only wool that is sound, clean with good fibre length, bulk and colour is selected. It is sent to boutique New Zealand mills to be dyed, carded and combed.

It is scoured (washed) by a standard aqueous treatment at 60-70 degrees, using an environmentally-friendly detergent called 6 mole BD50 . This detergent is biodegradable and breaks down quickly in the water leaving no residue. The wool is then dried and dyed. The dyes comply with the strict EU regulations and garments made from the sliver can be certified under the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. This standard is the most widely known standard for certification of ecologically-safe clothing. (Detailed information can be found at www.oekotex.com). The fibre is then gently opened and conditioned. Carding machines align the fibres and remove any foreign matter. It is then gilled and combed.

Ecosoft & Bartlett Wool Roving

EcoSoft and Bartlett rovings are American made and come from small family farms and mills. Compassionate sheep care and humane shearing are important to these farmers.