CPSIA Touching Many...Racquet Girls Plans to Adapt to Sustain Business

Mary Diaz of Racquet Girls recently indicated that while the original vision for her company was to offer hip, fashionable, and modernized athletic wear geared for children, tweens, and teens, she now fully expects to have to include a disclaimer clarifying her garments are not intended for children under 12.

With her products not being intended for use by children 12 and under, she will have to focus on the appropriate sizes for teens 13 and older instead.

Mary's fabrics are basic 100% cotton and cotton/spandex blends. Her surface decorations include embroidery, screenprinting (from a professional screenprinter), and fabric appliques. She had originally planned to use some heatseal rhinestones, but dropped those designs in anticipation of the additional costs the CPSIA testing requirements impose. If testing requirements for her athletic fashions designed for adults are more reasonable, she may be able to implement her plans for using further embellishments.

Mary said, "I've also considered altering Racquet Girls should CPSIA go forward. My size range right now is for 7- to 14-year-olds, but I may have to change it to 13-18 and specifically state that the products are not meant for children 12 and under.

Looks like mothers with children 12 and younger are going to be having a VERY difficult time finding boutique-type clothing and toys for their children. Only the big-box retailers will be able to afford the testing."

Mary has followed and is also following all available avenues to bring reform as well, i.e. petitions, sending letters, etc.

If you decide for yourself that this product poses no threat to your child(ren), regardless of their ages, please read my post discussing what you can do!

My non-tennis-playing 9-year-old daughter just looked over my shoulder and announced she wanted this outfit. She is 9, which means this outfit will be deemed hazardous to her health next month unless subjected to extensive testing for each color and print found within this garment--the threads, the labels, the cotton/spandex (green, navy, white, and polka-dotted pieces), and the decorative screenprinted design.

Make sure to visit www.RacquetGirls.com to see all of the adorable outfits they have to offer!