What is CPC Certification? – Complete Guide

You’re a toy importer. You’re ready to launch your new product in the U.S. You’re about to place your order when you discover a little thing called the Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). In case you don’t know, if you don’t have this, your products can be seized at the border, rejected by retailers, or even recalled.

The process of getting your products CPC certified can feel like walking through a regulatory minefield. The stakes are high, and the rules are strict. One wrong move can mean expensive delays, damage to your brand, and lost sales. It’s a scary proposition, and it’s something every person who imports products for children has to face.

Do not think of the CPC certification process as a regulatory requirement. Think of it as a competitive advantage. This guide will explain what the CPC is, why you need it, and how to get it fast. If you know these things, you can get to market faster, protect your brand, and stay ahead of compliance.

1. What is CPC certification?
2. What are the tests for CPC certification?
3. Which Products Require a Children’s Product Certificate?
4. Where do I need to use CPC certification?
5. Can I get a Children’s Product Certificate from my supplier in China?
6. What info needs to be had in CPC?
7. Does Amazon require a Children’s Product Certificate?
8. How to Find the Right Lab to Test My Children’s Products?
9. How do I get CPC certification?

What is CPC certification?

The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a document that says your children’s product complies with all applicable safety rules under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). It is issued by the manufacturer, importer, or private labeler based on test results from a Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)-accepted laboratory. You must have a CPC to sell children’s products in the United States.

What are the tests for CPC certification?

1. Physical and Mechanical Testing

Purpose: To make sure your toy won’t break and hurt someone.

Tests Include:

• Small parts test: This is to make sure a kid can’t choke on a part.
• Sharp points and edges test: This is to make sure a kid can’t cut themselves.
• Durability and impact test: This is to make sure your toy can be used and abused by a kid.

2. Chemical Testing

Purpose: To find and measure bad chemicals that could make someone sick.

Tests Include:

• Lead content test: This is to make sure the lead in your product and the paint is below the legal limit (15 USC 1278a).
• Phthalates test: This is to make sure your toys and child care articles don’t contain certain phthalates (15 USC 2057c).

3. Flammability Testing

Purpose: To make sure your toy isn’t going to catch on fire and burn down someone’s house.

Tests Include:

• Flammability tests: As per 16 CFR Part 1500.44 for general toys.
• Specific fabric and textile tests: Used in toys.

4. ASTM F963 Testing

Purpose: To make sure your toy is safe according to the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety.

Tests Include:

• Mechanical and physical properties.
• Electrical safety for battery-operated toys.
• Toxicology tests: For substances like heavy metals.

5. Additional Testing for Specific Toys

Purpose: To make sure your toy doesn’t have any unique safety problems.

Tests Include:

• Magnet safety testing: For toys with magnets.
• Noise level testing: For toys that make noise.
• Specific tests for ride-on toys, projectile toys, and others.

Which Products Require a Children’s Product Certificate?

You need a Children’s Product Certificate for a lot of children’s products, including:

• Toys and games
• Children’s clothing
• Cribs and mattresses
• Strollers and car seats
• Children’s furniture
• Baby walkers and jumpers
• Children’s jewelry
• Pacifiers and teethers

In short, if you sell a product that is marketed, packaged, or displayed as being for kids 12 years old and younger, it is covered by the CPSIA, and you need a CPC.

Where do I need to use CPC certification?

You need a CPC for a number of reasons when it comes to selling products for children in the United States:

1. Importing and selling in the U.S.: You must have a CPC to import and sell products for children 12 years of age and younger.
2. Amazon: You must provide a CPC for certain children’s products, uploading it to Amazon’s Seller Central dashboard for each applicable listing.
3. Customs: You must include the CPC with each shipment entering the U.S. to avoid seizure by customs.
4. CPSC: Although you don’t file the CPC with the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), you must be able to provide it upon request.
5. Direct-to-consumer sales: While you don’t need to provide the CPC to the consumer, you must have it available for authorities.
6. Manufacturing in the U.S.: The manufacturer is responsible for issuing and maintaining the CPC.
7. Product changes: You need a new CPC for new products, new versions, or changes in suppliers or testing.
8. Other retailers: You must provide the CPC to any distributors and retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar.

Can I get a Children’s Product Certificate from my supplier in China?

Yes, you can get a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) from your supplier in China, but you need to make sure the certificate meets all the legal requirements. Here are some important things to consider:

Supplier’s Capability: Make sure your supplier has the capability and experience to make children’s products that comply with the safety standards.

Accredited Testing Laboratory: Make sure the CPC is based on tests done by a lab that is accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). You can ask your supplier for the lab’s information and then verify it yourself.

Valid Certification: Make sure the CPC your supplier gives you has everything it’s supposed to have on it, such as:

• Identification of the product
• Citation to each CPSC children’s product safety rule to which the product is being certified
• Name and contact information for the manufacturer or importer
• Contact information for the individual maintaining test records
• Date and place of manufacture
• Date and place where the product was tested
• Identification of the third-party, CPSC-accepted laboratory that conducted the testing

Consistent Compliance: Make sure your supplier keeps up with the rules. Ask for them to test the product on a regular basis and give you new certificates, especially if they change how they make the product or change the product itself.

Independent Verification: It might be prudent to have a sample independently tested by a CPSC-accredited laboratory to verify the supplier’s certification. This additional step ensures that the product meets all required safety standards.

By following these steps, you can get a valid CPC from your supplier in China and make sure your products are safe for kids in the market where you want to sell them.

What info needs to be had in CPC?

To ensure your CPC is valid and compliant, it must contain the following information:

• Product identification, including a description and model number/SKU
• List of applicable ASTM and CPSC standards
• Manufacturer or importer details, including contact information
• Contact details for the person with access to the test report
• Manufacturing location and date
• Testing date and location
• Information about the CPSC-accepted third-party lab

Having all this information accurately documented in the CPC is essential for meeting federal safety requirements and ensuring the smooth import and distribution of children’s products in the market.

Does Amazon require a Children’s Product Certificate?

Yes, you need to be able to provide a CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) when you list children’s products for sale in the United States. Without a CPC, Amazon can reject new product listings or suspend existing product listings. Further, Amazon is very strict about certain details on the CPC. For example, they need the ASTM and CPSC standards listed on the CPC to match the ASTM and CPC standards mentioned in the test report. I’ve seen cases when Amazon outright rejects CPCs because a standard or regulation listed on the test report is missing – and vice versa.

How to Find the Right Lab to Test My Children’s Products?

1. Use CPSC-accepted laboratories

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a list of accepted testing laboratories. Only use labs from this list to ensure your testing is valid for CPC purposes.

2. Consider lab location

Many U.S. retailers, including Amazon, prefer or require testing by U.S.-based laboratories. This helps ensure compliance with current U.S. standards.

3. Check for relevant accreditations

Look for labs accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 standards for testing and calibration laboratories. Ensure the lab is accredited specifically for children’s product testing.

4. Verify testing capabilities

Confirm the lab can perform all necessary tests for your specific product type (e.g., chemical, physical, flammability testing).

5. Compare turnaround times and costs

Get quotes from multiple labs and compare their turnaround times and pricing.

6. Review the lab’s reputation

Look for reviews or testimonials from other manufacturers or importers.

7. Consult with industry associations

Organizations like the Toy Association may provide guidance on reputable testing labs.

8. Consider using a third-party quality assurance company

Companies like SGS or Intertek can help manage the testing process and recommend appropriate labs.

9. Check for experience with similar product

Choose a lab that has experience testing products similar to yours.

Remember, while your supplier in China can help arrange testing, the CPC itself must be created by you (the importer) or a U.S.-based entity. Always verify that the lab you choose is currently CPSC-accepted for the specific tests your product requires.

How do I get CPC certification?

1. Know the Requirements

Learn the rules and standards for children’s products, such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and ASTM F963 for toys.

2. Identify the Applicable Safety Standards

Determine which safety standards apply to your product. These may include:

• Lead content limits
• Phthalates restrictions
• Mechanical and physical testing
• Flammability testing
• Small parts regulations

3. Pick a CPSC-Accepted Lab

Choose a third-party lab that’s accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to test your product. You can find a list of CPSC-accepted labs on the CPSC website.

4.Test Your Product

Send your product to the lab you selected. They will test your product to make sure it meets all the safety standards that apply to it, such as:

• Physical and mechanical tests
• Chemical tests
• Flammability tests

5. Compile Documentation

When your product passes the tests, gather up all the paperwork you need, such as:

• Test reports from the CPSC-accepted lab
• Technical files and other safety information

6. Make the Children’s Product Certificate

With the paperwork you gathered, the manufacturer or importer makes the CPC. It should have:

• Product identification: Description, model number, SKU, etc.
• Manufacturer or importer information: Name, address, and contact details
• Testing laboratory information: Name, address, and accreditation details
• Compliance statement: Confirmation that the product meets all applicable safety standards
• List of applicable regulations and standards: Such as ASTM or CPSIA
• Test results: Details of all testing performed
• Date and place of manufacture
• Date and place of testing

7. Keep Your Paperwork

Keep the CPC and all the other paperwork for at least 5 years. The CPSC might ask to see it during an audit or an inspection.

8. Submit the CPC

If selling on platforms like Amazon, upload the CPC to the platform’s seller dashboard. Amazon requires a CPC for certain children’s products and may request additional documentation.

By following these steps, you can make sure your children’s products are safe and meet the rules.

Summary

Getting CPC certification isn’t just a box to check. It’s a smart move to protect your ability to sell your product and your brand. By making sure your product is safe and has the right certifications, you protect yourself from delays, recalls, and lawsuits. It may seem complicated, but if you prepare and understand what’s expected, you can do it. Just remember to keep your certifications up-to-date and work with good labs. With a solid CPC, you can launch your product in the U.S. market knowing you’ve met the safety standards.