14 / 108
PLEA OF “DO I REALLY HAVE
TO?” often echoes between the walls at
Buffalo, New York-based supplier Apple Imprints
Apparel (UPIC: APPL0003). But it’s not children
begging off a dreaded chore—it’s distributors.
Mary Poissant, director of sales and marketing for the sup-
plier, says it’s not unheard of for mature, professional clients to
look for ways around the Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act (CPSIA) requirements for decorated chil-
dren’s apparel. “Working with Apple Imprints, the answer is
‘no’ without exception, sign off or any other idea they may have
to avoid a tracking label and costs associated with it,” she says,
explaining that distributors sometimes think signing waivers
will let them sidestep the requirements.
If you aren’t aware of the special requirements surrounding
decorated children’s apparel, or if you’ve ever thought about
maneuvering around these requirements, know that compliance
with the CPSIA’s guidelines for imprinted children’s apparel is
not only a best practice for industry suppliers and distributors,
it’s the law. “It’s in everyone’s best interest to follow these
guidelines, as ramifications down the road—if the item is test-
ed and fails—can be detrimental to the distributor,” Poissant
says, adding that distributors should communicate this to their
clients, too.
A
INNOVATE
12 •
PPB
• APRIL 2015
EYE ON APPAREL
GROWING
UP
THE INDUSTRY’S AWARENESS OF CHILDREN’S APPAREL IS COMING OF AGE.
BY TAMA UNDERWOOD