What is CPSC Certified?
CPSC certified refers to the confirmation made by manufacturers and importers that a product has been tested for compliance with consumer product safety requirements set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
For children’s products, this includes using a CPSC-accepted laboratory for testing and obtaining a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). For non-children’s products, a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is required.
The US manufacturers or importers shall follow the following certification processes:
Testing: Manufacturers and importers must test their products for compliance with consumer product safety requirements. For children’s products, the testing must be done by CPSC-accepted laboratory.
Certification and Documentation: Based on passing test results, manufacturers and importers should self-issue a certificate in a written or electronic way. The certificate must accompany the applicable product or shipment of products and a copy must be provided to US retailers, US distributors and upon request to the government. Amazon requires their sellers of children’s product to submit Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) documentation.
What kind of products shall be CPSC certified?
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) defines children’s product as a consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years old or younger. CPSC considers the following factors to determine if a product is a children’s product:
- Manufacturer’s statement of intended use of the product or;
- Product representation in its packaging, display, promotion or advertising as for use by children 12 years of age or younger or;
- Consumer commonly recognize the product is intended for use by children of 12 years old or younger
CPSC issued an age determination guideline to help manufacturer and importers to determine the appropriate age grading for products.
The children’s product listed below require CPSC accepted third party lab testing report. These products need Children’s Product Certificate:
This is an updated list as of September 21, 2023.
| All-terrain vehicles | Children’s sleepwear: sizes 7 through 14 (FF 5-74) | Infant bath seats | Play yards |
| Baby changing products | Children’s toys | Infant bath tubs | Portable bedrails |
| Bassinets and cradles | Clacker balls | Infant bouncer seats | Portable hook-on chairs |
| Bedside sleepers | Clothing and general wearing apparel | Infant sleep products | Rattles |
| Bicycle helmets | Clothing storage units | Infant swings | Sling carriers |
| Bicycles | Crib mattresses | Infant walkers | Small carpets and rugs |
| Booster seats | Dive sticks and other similar articles | Magnets | Small parts |
| Bunk beds (for children) | Electrically operated toys or articles | Mattresses and mattress pads | Soft infant and toddler carriers |
| Button cell or coin battery | Frame child carriers | Mattresses and mattress sets | Stationary activity centers |
| Carpets and rugs | Full-size cribs | Non-full-size cribs | Toddler beds |
| Carriages and strollers | Gates and enclosures | Pacifiers | Total lead content |
| Children’s folding chairs and stools | Hand-held infant carriers | Paints and similar surface coatings containing lead | Toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms |
| Children’s sleepwear: sizes 0 through 6X (FF 3-71) | High chairs | Phthalates | Vinyl plastic film |
Products listed below require certification in a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC).
This list is current as of October 31, 2023.
| All-terrain vehicles | Liquid nicotine packaging (CNPPA) |
| Architectural glazing materials | Magnets |
| Adult portable bed rail | Matchbooks |
| Artificial emberizing materials | Mattresses and mattress pads |
| Bicycle helmets | Mattresses and mattress sets |
| Bicycles | Metal candle wicks |
| Bunk beds | Multipurpose lighters |
| Button cell or coin battery | Paints and similar surface coatings containing lead |
| Carpets and rugs (large) | Pool and spa drain covers |
| Carpets and rugs (small) | Portable fuel containers (flame mitigation device) |
| CB antennas | Portable fuel containers (special packaging) |
| Cellulose insulation | Power lawn mowers (walk-behind) |
| Cigarette lighters | Refrigerator doors |
| Clothing storage units | Refuse bins |
| Consumer patching compounds 1 | Special packaging (PPPA) |
| Drywall | Swimming pool slides (freestanding) |
| Fireworks | Toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms |
| Garage door openers | Vinyl plastic film |
| Lawn darts | Wearing apparel |
What is CPC Children’s Product Certificate?
The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a document created by manufacturers and importers of children’s product to certify that their products comply with applicable children’s product safety rules as per the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPC shall be issued based on the passing test results from a CPSC-accepted laboratory.
Who is responsible for issuing the Children’s Product Certificate?
As stated by Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), US domestic manufacturers or US importers are responsible to issue the Children’s Product Certificate.
I am an Amazon seller, do I need a Children’s Product Certificate?
Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a certification document to prove conformity and safety of the product which is required by US Federal Law. Amazon inherits this requirement, necessitates that all children’s products listed on its marketplace be accompanied by a valid CPC.
If you are not only selling in US, you should also fulfil the regulatory requirements of your targeted market. Each international market has its own set of regulations that must be met with precision. For instance, selling within the European Union demands compliance with the EU Toy Safety Directive, while the Australian Consumer Law governs the standards in Australia.
I’m not a US entity but is selling on Amazon US market, can I issue the Children’s Product Certificate?
In the Children’s Product Certificate, you must include the details of the US company manufacturing or importing the product. Amazon’s policy states that they will not act at the importing agent. This is the local legal representative of the product.
Do I need to obtain Children’s Product Certificate for each SKU?
The Children’s Product Certificate shall be issued based on a passing test report. Therefore, if you have different colours of products was tested in a same test report, you can issue one CPC. You can also list multiple laboratories in the CPC if a single lab is not accredited to conduct testing to all safety rules.
Do I need to get Children’s Product Certificate for each order?
No, you do not need to obtain a new Children’s Product Certificate for each order. You only need a new CPC if there are any changes in design, materials or manufacturers.
How to obtain a Children’s Product Certificate?
The Children’s Product Certificate is self-issue. Having said that, it must be supported by testing report conducted by CPSC accepted laboratories. If you want to know how can you issue a Children’s Product Certificate, you can contact KOL Quality for a professional advice.
How do I know which CPSC regulation to be listed in the Children’s Product Certificate?
There are three primary avenues to ascertain these requirements:
Direct Research: The CPSC website is a treasure trove of information, offering clear guidance on compliance standards. Diligent self-research on this platform can yield a solid understanding of the necessary regulations.
Laboratory Consultations: Engaging multiple laboratories for quotations is a prudent approach. However, vigilance is key, as laboratories may prioritize services they offer over your product’s specific compliance needs. It is imperative to discern the neutrality of their advice. Remember, while laboratories can provide essential testing services, they typically do not offer counsel on documentation and labeling requirements.
Professional Compliance Services: For sellers operating across various markets, enlisting the expertise of a compliance service provider can be invaluable. These professionals can assist with compiling technical files, advising on mandatory testing, and providing labeling guidance, ensuring a comprehensive compliance strategy.
KOL Quality stands out by offering impartial product compliance advisory services. We can provide you guidance for product compliance, meticulously audit testing reports from suppliers to verify their efficacy and provide expert advice on labeling, ensuring your products meet all regulatory demands without any laboratory bias.
Is lab testing report necessary before issuing the Children’s Product Certificate?
Yes, the Children’s Product Certificate shall be filed based on a passing lab testing report conducted by a CPSC accepted third party testing company.
How do I find the CPSC accepted third party testing company?
You can find a list of CPSC accepted third party testing laboratories on CPSC’s website. If you need help, please feel free to contact KOL Quality.
What is the cost of Children’s Product Certificate?
Obtaining a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) does not incur additional costs, as it is a self-issued document. The only expense associated with the CPC is the cost of the required product safety testing conducted by a CPSC-accepted laboratory.
Sample of Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
A sample of Children’s Product Certificate shall include the following:
- Identification of the product covered by this certificate
| Product Name | Product Description | Models |
| Toddler Clothes | With a screen-printed decoration “Mommy’s boy” | 8837 Blue |
| Toddler Clothes | With a screen-printed decoration “Daddy’s girl” | 7388 Pink |
- Citation to each CPSC children’s product safety rule to which this product is being certified
15 U.S.C. 1278a – Total lead content
16 CFR part 1303 – Paints and similar surface coatings
16 CFR part 1610 – Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles
- Identification of the domestic manufacturer or importer certifying compliance of the product
Dad Mom Club Inc
123 Dalmon St
Boston, MA 04598
(888) 888 8888
- Contact information for the individual maintaining records of test results
Will Smith, Manager
Dad Mom Club Inc
123 Dalmon St
Boston, MA 04598
(888) 888 8888
willsmith@dadmomclub.com
- Date and place of manufacture
March 2024
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Date(s) and place(s) of testing
March 2024
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Identification of third party CPSC accepted laboratory who conducted the testing
ABC Laboratory
34 Chongqing Road
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
If you need a PDF file of Children’s Product Certificate, please feel free to contact KOL Quality.
Staying informed about CPSC regulations through your own research empowers you to make informed decisions. However, leveraging the expertise of unbiased professionals like KOL Quality can streamline the compliance process, especially when dealing with complex regulations and multiple markets. KOL Quality’s impartial perspective and professional advice can help ensure that your products meet all safety standards, which is paramount for protecting your brand and your customers.