Bicycles on Amazon: 16 CFR 1512 and GCC Certification Costs?

Listing bicycle products such as adult bicycles, children's bicycles, and electric bicycles on the Amazon US marketplace requires uploading a 16 CFR 1512 test report and a gcc certificate. On May 13, 2011, after fully considering comments from the bicycle industry and consumers, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) decided to publish the requirements for bicycles under 16 CFR Part 1512 in the Federal Register. The standard officially took effect on June 13, 2011.

What is a Bicycle?

Section 1512.2 defines a bicycle as:

(1) A two-wheeled vehicle having a rear drive wheel that is solely human-powered; or

(2) A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph.

The bicycle requirements include two different types of bicycles. Bicycles with a seat that is more than 25 inches above the ground when adjusted to its highest position must meet all requirements. Sidewalk bicycles—those with a seat height of 25 inches or less—are exempt from some requirements or have other alternative requirements. These exemptions and alternative requirements are marked in bold print in this summary.

According to Amazon's requirements, all bicycles must be tested and comply with the following specific regulations or standard requirements:

Note! The 16 CFR 1512 standard does not apply to products such as scooters, self-balancing unicycles, electric skateboards, and electric tricycles.

16 CFR 1512 specifies the safety requirements for bicycles. Its testing items and requirements are as follows:

Mechanical Requirements

• Assembly: Bicycles shall be manufactured such that the assembly skills required by the consumer do not exceed those possessed by an adult of normal intelligence and ability.

• Sharp edges: There shall be no unfinished metal sheared edges or other sharp parts on the assembled bicycle that may be exposed to the hands or legs; unsheared metal edges shall be treated to remove burrs on the edges or burrs generated during the shearing process, etc.

• Strength: After testing in accordance with the handbrake loading and performance test, footbrake force and performance test, and road test, components such as the frame, steering system, wheels, pedals, cranks, or brake systems shall not show visible cracks.

• Attachment hardware: All screws, bolts, or nuts used to connect or secure components shall not break, loosen, or lose their intended function during the tests required in this part; all threaded hardware shall be of sufficient quality to allow for adjustments and maintenance.

• Exclusion area: There shall be no protrusions in the area bounded by the following limits: a line 89 mm (3.5 inches) rearward of and parallel to the handlebar stem; a line tangent to the front of the seat and intersecting the seat mast at the top rear; the top surface of the upper tube; and a line connecting the front of the seat (when adjusted to its highest position) to the junction where the handlebar connects to the handlebar stem.

• Brake cable protective caps and brake cable wear: All protective caps and end-mounted handlebar devices shall be tested to determine that they will not be removed when the specified force is applied; brake cables shall be subjected to wear testing to ensure they do not experience excessive wear that would affect braking performance under normal use.

Brake System Performance Requirements

Handbrake Loading and Performance Test:

• Loading test: Apply force at a point on the handbrake lever no more than 25 mm (1.0 inch) from the open end. If the handbrake lever comes into contact with the handlebar before reaching 445 N (100 lbf), the loading may be stopped at that point; otherwise, it shall be increased to at least 445 N (100 lbf). The application of the loading force shall be repeated 10 times, and all brake components shall be inspected. After the loading test, the brake components shall not show visible cracks, malfunctions, misalignments, or other non-compliant conditions.

• Rocking test: Place a weight of at least 68.1 kg (150 pounds) on the seat and rock the bicycle forward and backward at least 6 times, with a rocking distance of at least 76 mm (3 inches) each time. After the test, the brake pads, brake pad holders, brake cables, and handbrake fixtures, etc., shall not show any signs of loosening.

• Performance test: The bicycle shall undergo braking tests under specified testing conditions, including traveling on a dry, clean, smooth, paved test track with a wind speed of less than 11 km/h (7 mph), etc. Only the braking system being tested shall be engaged during the test. The rider shall be in a normal riding position, and the bicycle must begin braking while traveling in a straight line. The test must be conducted 4 times, taking the average braking distance as the test result, and the braking distance shall comply with standard regulations.

Footbrake Force and Performance Test:

• Measure the braking force when the footbrake is rotated in the direction of forward wheel movement. The braking force shall be measured tangentially to the tire during a steady pull after the wheel has completed one-half revolution but before it completes one full revolution. The footbrake shall be able to produce a linearly proportional braking force under a gradually applied pedal force of 89 N to 310 N (20 to 70 lbf), and when a pedal force of 310 N (70 lbf) is applied, the braking force shall not be less than 178 N (40 lbf).

16 CFR 1512 Requirements for Bicycle Instructions and Labeling:

An instruction manual must be attached to the frame of every bicycle or included in the bicycle packaging. The manual must include operational and safety instructions, complete and correct assembly instructions, and maintenance instructions.

If the bicycle is not fully assembled or adjusted at the time of sale, any advertising materials and the outside of the shipping carton must include a list of tools required to assemble and adjust the bicycle, as well as a drawing showing the minimum rider leg length for which the bicycle is suitable. This length must allow for at least one inch of clearance between the top tube and the rider's crotch when the rider's feet are on the ground.

Every bicycle must have a permanent mark or label showing the name of the manufacturer or private labeler, which the manufacturer or private labeler can use to identify the month and year of the bicycle's manufacture. If the bicycle is privately labeled, the label must contain information that the private labeler can use to identify the bicycle's manufacturer.

Other Required Information

We may request the following information from you at any time, so it is recommended that you have this information ready for easy submission:

1. Your company name (if applicable) and seller ID

2. Your contact information: email address and phone number

3. A list of all bicycle products you have listed

4. Product images and product packaging images (if applicable) for all bicycles you have listed. The images must include all sides of the product and product packaging for our review

5. Product images or a test report proving that the product complies with the mandatory bicycle instruction and labeling requirements (Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1512.19)

6. A General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for all bicycles you have listed

7. A test report issued by an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory confirming that each product has been tested and complies with the applicable requirements mentioned above

Certification Process:

• Fill out the application form

• Provide product information

• Send samples

• After passing the test

• Issue the report/certificate

Cycle: 5-7 working days after receiving the samples.