Issuing the necessary certification, like CPC, is obligatory when manufacturing or importing toys or other childcare products. The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a voluntary certification program that assesses whether a product meets specific safety standards for children. The program is administered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
To get a CPC, manufacturers must submit their products to an accredited testing laboratory. The laboratory will test the product and issue a certificate if it caters to all CPSC safety requirements.
But here the question arises which baby products require CPC? If you are a novice and have recently stepped into the toys industry, then you need to learn which products require CPC certification so you can cross-check them accordingly when importing, selling, or manufacturing.
What is Children’s Product Certification?
When creating a children’s product, there are several factors you must take into account to ensure the safety of your young customers. One such factor is obtaining a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).
The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) refers to a standard document that helps ensure that a product satiates all the safety requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). The CPSIA is a set of regulations that apply to products made for children under the age of 12.
The official authority that issues a certificate includes strict guidelines for children’s products, including lead content limits, phthalate restrictions, and flammability standards. By ensuring that products meet these safety requirements, the CPSIA protects children from potentially harmful products.
In order to obtain the Children’s Product Certificate, manufacturers must submit their products to an independent, third-party laboratory for testing. Once the product passes all CPSIA requirements, the laboratory will issue a Children’s Product Certificate. This certificate must be included with every shipment of the product to retailers and/or distributors. The cost of testing and certification can vary depending on the type and number of products being tested.
Manufacturers should keep in mind that if their products aren’t CPC certified then,
- They get sized by US customs.
- The CPSC issues a forced recall, which further impacts your reputation.
- Amazon refuses to list your products on the platform.
- Freight Forwarders may also reject to ship your products.
In addition, you also need a test report (issued by CPSC accepted lab testing company) to complement each CPC as in the absence of the lab test report, you cannot create a complete Children’s Product Certificate.
What Information Should be Added to the Children’s Product Certificate?
To be certified, a product must meet all of the applicable mandatory safety standards for that product category, as well as any additional voluntary safety standards that the CPSC has identified as being important to the safety of children. In addition, the product must be labeled with the correct CPC information.
Here’re mentioned all the essential details that should be included to create a complete and valid Children’s Product Certificate.
- Product Description
When creating a product certificate for a child-related item, it is important to include a description of the product. This will help ensure that the certificate is easily understood by those who need to review it. Additionally, the inclusion of a product description will help to prevent any potential confusion or misunderstanding about the item in question.
- List of applied and mandatory ASTM and CPSC Standards
It is important to note that there are both ASTM and CPSC standards that need to be met in order for your products to be certified. These standards cover a wide range of aspects, from materials used in the product itself to packaging and labeling.
- The importer or domestic manufacturer information
Yet another important thing that should be included in the Children’s Product Certificate is the importer or manufacturer’s information. It ensures buyers that they are buying from a reputable source. Knowing where a product was made can help you to understand what safety standards it was made under and whether or not it meets your expectations for quality.
- Contact Information
The certificate must contain the contact information of the manufacturer, which might include the name and address of the importer and manufacturer. It also includes the date of manufacture to help you know how old the product is and whether or not it has been sitting on a shelf for a long time. Fresher products are generally going to be of better quality than those that have been sitting around for a while.
- Product Testing Date
When a product is certified, it is given a certification mark by an agency that has assessed the product against certain standards. The date of certification is usually included on the certificate, and it is important to know this date so you can be sure that the product meets the current standards.
- Manufacturing Location
It is important to include the manufacturing location on children’s product certificates. This ensures that buyers know where the product was made and whether it caters to all safety standards. Many products are made overseas, so it is important to check the manufacturing location before purchasing.
7 Products That Require the Children’s Product Certificate
So now that you are aware of the CPC standards, it’s time to unveil the list of toys or other children’s products that must have the Childre’s Product Certificate to be legally sold in the United States. The CPC is a mandatory certification for these products in order to ensure their safety.
- Plush Toys
Plush toys are often soft and huggable, making them a popular choice for children and adults alike. They can come in different shapes and sizes and are often used as decorations or as comfort objects.
Such toys require the Children Product Certificate, especially if they are intended for children under the age of 12. The certificate ensures that the toy is safe for children to use and that it meets all applicable safety standards.
These standards include things like making sure that the toy doesn’t have any sharp edges, that it’s made of non-toxic materials, and that it doesn’t have any small parts that could be choking hazards. Also, Plush toys must be labeled with the correct age group and washing instructions.
2. Wooden Toys
Wooden toys may also require a Children’s Product Certificate in order to be legally sold in the United States. The certificate is only required if the toy is made of solid wood. If the manufacturer has used plywood while creating toys, then there’s no need to apply for such certification.
In order to get a Children’s Product Certificate for a wooden toy, the manufacturer must submit a sample of the toy to an independent laboratory for testing. The laboratory will test the toy to make sure it meets all safety requirements. Once the toy has been certified, the manufacturer can then apply for a license to sell the toy in the United States.
3.Plastic Toys
Plastic toys are made from a wide range of materials, the most common being polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). They can be molded into many shapes and colors, which is why they are so popular.
However, some parents worry about the safety of these toys since they often contain harmful chemicals and that’s where the Children’s Product Certificate comes into the role.
Plastic toys require Children’s products certification because they are made with potentially hazardous substances. These chemicals can leach out of the toy and into the child’s body.
They can also off-gas, which means that they release harmful gases into the air. This is why it’s so important to make sure that plastic toys are certified by an independent organization.
4.Toy Vehicles
Toy vehicles are small replicas of real-world vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, trains, and planes. They are usually made of plastic or metal and are designed to be played with by children. Toy vehicles often have moving parts, such as wheels that turn, doors that open and close, and headlights that light up.
Toy vehicles are subject to different safety requirements than other types of toys. In order to sell a toy vehicle in the United States, manufacturers must obtain a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPC proves that the toy meets all applicable safety standards, including those for lead content. Toy vehicles that do not have a CPC may be recalled by the CPSC. Products that have this certificate are safe for children to play with and are less likely to cause injuries.
5.Dolls
Dolls are one of the most popular toys for children. They come in many different shapes and sizes and can be dressed up in different outfits. However, these children’s toys are usually made with materials that require a Children’s Product Certificate.
The certificate ensures that the product satisfies minimum safety requirements for lead, flammability, small parts, and other potential hazards. These standards help ensure that dolls are safe for children to play with.
6. Children’s Jewelry
Children’s accessories are often made out of softer materials such as cloth or plastic. They are often brightly colored and have patterns or characters on it.
However, they are subject to the same safety and quality regulations as other children’s products. To sell children’s jewelry, companies must obtain a certificate from an accredited laboratory.
The certificate verifies that the jewelry meets all applicable safety standards and mainly tests for lead content in jewelry, as well as other potentially harmful materials.
It is important to choose a reputable laboratory when obtaining a certificate, as not all laboratories are created equal.
7. Children’s Clothing
Children’s clothing that is sized 2T and below generally requires a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). The children’s garment industry is regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and they have specific guidelines that must be met for a CPC to be issued.
However, there are a few exceptions to the rule. For example, clothes that are made from 100% natural fibers, like cotton or wool, do not need a CPC. Additionally, clothes that are intended to be worn over other clothes, like outerwear or sleepwear, also do not need the Children’s Product Certificate.
Conclusion
So, there you have the complete list of children’s products that require a Children’s Product Certificate to be legally sold. We hope the guide has helped you learn about the CPC and why it should be obtained.
If you’re not sure whether or not a product you want to buy requires this certificate, it’s important to do your research before making a purchase. When in doubt, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and get one anyway.
Manufacturers must note that failure to include a CPC with their products could result in fines or other penalties from the CPSC. Hence, you must avoid this condition and get the toys or other childcare products CPC certified before exporting them.