Products intended for use by children under 12 years of age are generally considered children´s products. Such goods are held to stringent testing standards to ensure safety and are generally required to have an issued certificate.

Whether you import or manufacture children´s products in the United States, a Children´s Product Certificate, also known as CPC, is mandatory.

In this article we will explore what a CPC is and what products require this certification.

 

What is a CPC?

 As specified by CPSIA a Children´s Product Certificate is “a document issued by the importer or (domestic) US manufacturer, certifying that the product is compliant with all CPSIA requirements.”

CPCs are issued by the manufacturer themselves. However, a CPC is based on third-party lab test reports and, in some cases, testing requirements.

A CPC includes identifying information about your product including the product description and model number, list of CPSC and ASTM standards (if applicable), company details, and manufacturing location.

You must also include information about the laboratory that performed testing including contact information, date and place where the product was tested, and identification of the CPSC accredited laboratory that performed testing.

The test report required for a CPC must be issued by a CPSC accredited laboratory, otherwise the certificate is not valid.

 

What products require a CPC?

In general, if your product is intended for use by or marketed to children under 12 years of age it will require a CPC.

Some products that require a CPC include:

  • Children´s Toys
  • Children´s Furniture
  • Children´s Apparel
  • Children´s Jewelry
  • Toy Vehicles
  • Baby products (pacifiers, teething toys, bottles, etc.)

You will need to issue a new CPC for every new product you intend to take to market. A new certificate is also required if you import a new product, manufacture or import a new version of your product, change suppliers, or get your product re-tested.

 

Who do I need to show my CPC to?

The CPC must be given to any distributors and retailers of your product. This includes online retailers like Amazon.

Your certificate can be given via hardcopy to the distributor or can be available on a dedicated webpage.

If you sell directly to consumers, the certificate does not need to be provided to the consumer.

You do not need to file your certificate with the government or any other regulatory body in the United States. However, the CPSC can request a copy of your certificate at any time, and it must be supplied in such cases.

 

Consequences of Not Getting a CPC

Having a valid CPC is a requirement for manufacturers and importers of children´s products in the United States. Failure to issue a certificate or providing inaccurate information can have serious consequences.

Failing to obtain a CPC for your product can result in a variety of problems including having your products seized by customs, inability to sell through third-party retailers, and even recall.

About ACT-LAB

ACT-LAB is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory that conducts consumer product safety and compliance testing for an active world. We can help ensure that your products both meet industry standards and are inspected to ensure the utmost quality.

To learn more about our tests contact us today.

Read more about our accreditations here.