What Are CPSC Requirements

Attention cross-border e-commerce businesses engaged in children’s products (toys, clothing, etc.)!
To sell these products in the U.S., a CPC is a mandatory certification.
Currently, major cross-border platforms including Temu, Amazon, AliExpress impose relevant requirements on children’s products.

What is CPC Certification?

CPC stands for Children's Product Certificate.
It is a mandatory complianCE certification for children’s products in the U.S. market, used by manufacturers or importers to certify that their children’s products comply with all applicable children’s product safety rules. It is equivalent to a product quality inspection report in China.

This certification is required by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and is a legal requirement for children’s products entering the U.S. market.
Testing must be performed by a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory to issue a report.

Based on the test report, the manufacturer or importer self-issues the CPC; no government approval is required.

Scope & Core Safety Standards

2.1 Applicable Scope

Applies to all products intended for children 12 years of age or younger, including but not limited to:
Toys: building blocks, plush toys, electric toys, puzzles, etc.
Baby products: baby bottles, pacifiers, strollers, changing tables, etc.
Children’s clothing & textiles: kids’ wear, shoes, hats, baby rompers, etc.
Children’s furniture: cribs, cradles, high chairs, study desks, etc.
School supplies: school bags, watercolor pens, stationery, etc.
Sports & travel products: children’s bikes, scooters, car seats, etc.

2.2 Core Safety Standards

Different products correspond to different standards; common ones include:
cpsia (total lead & phthalates)
U.S. toy standard: ASTM F963
Electric toy safety: 16 CFR Part 1505
Rattles: 16 CFR Part 1511
Children’s apparel & carpet flammability: 16 CFR Part 1610, Flammable Fabrics Act

Certification Process

① Confirm standards: Determine applicable CPSC Standards based on product type (e.g., ASTM F963 for toys, flammability requirements for children’s clothing).
② Third-party testing: Submit products to a CPSC-accredited lab for testing, including:

• Physical/mechanical properties (small parts, sharp edges)

• Chemical hazards (lead, phthalates)

• Labeling compliance
③ Issue certificate: Manufacturer/importer drafts the CPC based on the test report, including product info, applicable regulations, lab details, etc.
④ Provide with shipment: Attach CPC to shipping documents for customs or platform review.

Required Information on cpc certificate

1. Detailed product description: name, model, age range, etc.

2. Applicable regulations: list all CPSC children’s product safety rules

3. Manufacturer/importer info: company name, address, contact

4. Contact for record retention: name, address, phone, email

5. Production date & location: month/year & city

6. Test date & location: test report date & lab address

7. Third-party lab info: name, address, contact

How to Verify CPC Accreditation of Third-Party Labs

Log in to the official CPSC website, enter the accreditation number to verify lab qualification.

Note:
Amazon and U.S. Customs only accept test reports from CPSC-accredited labs.
Always confirm:

• Is the lab officially recognized?

• Does it have CPSC accreditation?

• What is the accreditation number?

Common Mistakes & Risks

1. Incomplete / Incorrect Information

Missing production date, lab address, or mismatched product info (e.g., ASIN) with Amazon backend.

2. Incorrect Standard Application

Example: Electric toys require ASTM F963 + 16 CFR Part 1505 (electrical safety), not just ASTM F963.

3. Failure to Retest After Material Changes

If materials or production processes change, CPSC requires retesting and updated CPC. Old certificates will be deemed non-compliant.

4. Misunderstanding Validity

CPC itself has no fixed expiration date, but test reports are generally valid within 1 year.
The certificate becomes invalid if the product is modified or standards are updated.