Teach Soap

I know that soap falls outside of FDA jurisdiction, as long as I don't claim it does anything but "clean," but what about the Consumer Product Safety Commission? Does CP soap fall outside of CPSC oversight too?

Their website is horrible compared to FDA's.

Thanks!

Soap does not "fall outside" the FDA regs, the FDA simply states that soap (fat(s) and lye) do not require an ingredient panel in their labeling. They do still require the word "soap" somewhere, the weight, and the company name and address. The FDA reg do govern soap, they are just different, slightly easier, labeling requirements than other products.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

Thanks for the FDA info! I will make sure the company and address are on my label.

As for safety testing and Consumer Products Safety Commission, any thoughts on what I need to do?

The word "soap" must be on the front panel along with the weight, which needs to be on the bottom (either third or two thirds, I don't recall which) of the label. The company name and physical address must be on the back label. There are size requirements for the fonts and placement of info so check out the FDA website for that info.

As for the consumer products safety commission, I know of nothing you need to do. If you are following good manufacturing standards and your state/city/town do not require anything different than the FDA. Each area of the country is different so you need to check with you local authorities when you form your company. I received a brochure that advised me of the special requirements for my city, but I was also advised on the phone. Those requirements had to do with production and building codes, the FDA still governed the labeling requirements. I am not sure what you are concerned with in the product safety area, but I am sure that you can get answers to your questions with a phone call or two.

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I just went to the FDA site and was just as confused. It makes it sound like the CP soap we make is not regulated by FDA. I wish they would put it in wording that we can understand. It sounds like it's mainly talking about detergents that call themselves soap in the big box stores.

Thanks for the info Tammy! Glad somone could share some insite on labeling.

You are welcome, glad to help out. I think you are just getting hung up on the word "regulate(ed)". The FDA does govern the labeling regulations of soap and detergents. They, however, do not require that the ingredients of true soap be listed as they require the ingredients of detergents to be listed. They do still require some labeling, as I said in the above post. Yes, it can be very confusing, but it is there if you wade through.

My Mom always said, "yours is not to question why, just do or die" But that never set well with me, I always wanted to know the why. So when I couldn't figure out the why in algebra, my teacher told me to "just follow the rules and you will be fine, you don't need to understand everything." After a lot of struggle, I finally let go and did just that. Then I got the grades I was accustom to. So now days I just try that approach on things beyond my comprehension, and believe me, the government is beyond my comprehension!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

LOL I think the government is beyond a lot of peoples conprehension, that goes for County, State and Federal.

_________________
Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy