legal implications of selling baby blankets

[elephantfrills]

Hi
I handmake baby blankets etc for lots of friends and family, and they are very popular. Im thinking of selling them, but I am unsure of the legal implications with regards to selling items aimed at children. I know that toys have to be tested for safety but do blankets and clothes come under this? And how do you go about getting them tested?
any advice would be greatly appreciated
thanks

 

[Chunkford]

I no experience in this area but this might give you a starting point http://www.bsigroup.com/en/ProductServices/

 

[IANL]

Make sure you get Product Liability insurance to protect you from any potential liability.

 

[deniser]

I don't believe there are any specific requirements for blankets and baby clothes (unless involving draw strings or nightwear) but there is an overriding provision that items must be safe.

We don't have mandatory testing here so you have to decide whether or not they need testing. If you were in the US then you would be subject to a whole battery of mandatory testing requirements.

Can you get any information from the people who sell you the fabric as to the content and chemical processes involved in creating the fabric? With any kind of buttons or trimmings you need to ensure that they do not contain lead and that buttons are stitched on properly.

 

[elephantfrills]

thanks for all your replies. The blankets are crocheted so I use wool that is specifically designed for babies. Im thinking of just using organic wool as well. I didnt even think of product liability insurance! good job I came here first

 

[Simply Business]

Hi elephantfrills,

You should be able to get quite a simple policy online for the Public/Products Liability cover you need. They normally come as a pair; I work for an insurance broker and the products liability cover is added in at no extra cost.

If you are unsure as to what the different is between the two, Public Liability would cover you for injury to third parties or damage to their property, as long as it is due to your own negligence. The difference with products liability, is simply that you are covered if the damage/injury is caused by the product rather than yourself.

I hope this helps; there are many online comparison sites you can use to get a quick quote, but please let me know if you would like to speak to me in more detail.

Kind regards,

Sophie

 

[elephantfrills]

my husband has a public liability insurance as he attends exhibitions etc. with his furniture, but I was just planning on selling online. It might be good to have anyway just to be on the safe side, incase I want to in the future go to some events. Thank you

 

[Simply Business]

Hi, I have had a quick look for you and a standard policy based on £1,000,000 Products Liability (which includes Public Liability) should not really cost more than £80-£100 a year.

It could be less but I did this based on less than a years experience. I hope this helps.

Sophie

 

[elephantfrills]

£1 000 000??!! Would you need that much?! wow dont think I know what im letting myself in for here, might have to give all this a bit more thought. thanks for looking though

 

[Simply Business]

You're welcome; just to let you know, £1m is a standard minimum amount for policies, they range from £1m to £10m so don't let the high figure put you off!

Good luck with your research I hope you find what you're looking for.

Kind regards,

Sophie

 

[elephantfrills]

thank you youve been very kind!

 

[IANL]

£1 000 000??!! Would you need that much?! wow dont think I know what im letting myself in for here, might have to give all this a bit more thought. thanks for looking though

£ 1,000,000 isn't much when you consider how much it might cost to defend a claim.

Lawyer costs, Court Costs, Expert Reports, Witness Statements and potential damages award.

Just think if a product failed and caused a serious injury that meant disability for life. £ 1,000,000 would be a drop in the ocean for the amount of potential award.

Not that it would affect you but if you ever work on an MOD site, an iarport or some large shopping centre they require £ 10m !