Materials
The materials you use are the foundation of safe baby and children’s products.
Whether you’re making something for personal use or to sell, it’s important to know what you’re using and where your responsibility lies.
On this page, I explain materials, certificates, and commonly used terms such as BPA-free, food grade, and FDA-approved.
Materials and European regulations
Europe has strict requirements for products used by babies and young children, especially those that may be put in their mouths. These requirements relate, among other things, to the chemical composition of materials.
Important to know:
these requirements apply not only to finished products, but also to the materials they are made from.
Silicone beads: BPA, food grade, and FDA
Silicone beads are often marketed with terms such as:
- BPA-free
- Food grade
- FDA-approved
That sounds reassuring, but these terms on their own are not enough for the European market.
BPA-free
BPA is found in certain plastics, not in silicone. So all silicone is BPA-free. This label says nothing about other potentially harmful substances.
Food grade / FDA-approved
These are terms from American regulations. The FDA is an American agency and is separate from European legislation.
European requirements are stricter or different from those in the US in several respects.
Factory certificates are therefore often based on:
- 1 test
- 1 color
- Or only American standards
This does not automatically mean that a material fully complies with all European requirements.
How I approached this
As an importer, I am responsible for the materials I sell.
That’s why I had the base materials used in my product range independently tested by a recognized testing laboratory.
This applies to:
- Silicone (base materials used to make colors)
- Wood
- Satin cord
- Plastic fastening rings and snap fasteners
I have the corresponding documentation for these materials.
👉 This means that the loose materials I sell comply with the applicable European guidelines for the intended use of the components.
From material to finished product
Important to know:
testing materials is different from testing a finished product.
The strength and safety of a finished product also depend on:
- Which shapes and sizes you combine
- How you string or tie it
- How the product is used
That’s why, as a seller of loose materials, I cannot approve finished products made by others.
Do you make products to sell?
Then you are responsible for:
- Having your finished product tested (where necessary)
- The correct documentation and warnings
Not all materials are suitable for baby products
The webshop also offers materials not intended for use by babies, such as:
- Acrylic beads
- Rhinestone beads
- Pens
- Decorative spacer discs
For shaped beads that are not suitable for use by young children, I’ve indicated this in the description. This only applies to beads with clearly thin parts, or those that have been tested and rejected by other sellers.
Please note:
The fact that other beads don’t carry this statement does not automatically mean they’re suitable for baby products. Always use your judgment and choose safety if in doubt.
My general advice for baby products:
- Preferably use silicone beads without protrusions
- Be cautious about combining different materials
- Keep designs as simple as possible
In summary
- European requirements take precedence
- Terms such as BPA-free and FDA-approved are not sufficient
- The materials in my range are only chemically tested as loose components
- The safety of the finished product remains the maker’s responsibility
- Not every material is suitable for baby products
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