What is Children’s Product Certification (CPC)

A Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a mandatory compliance document required for children’s products sold in the United States. It is issued by the manufacturer or importer to declare that the product complies with all applicable safety regulations enforced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Most children’s products designed for children aged 12 years or younger require a CPC before they can be legally imported, distributed, or sold in the United States.

A CPC is based on testing performed by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory and references the applicable safety regulations for the product.

---

What Is the Purpose of a CPC?

A CPC demonstrates that a children’s product has been evaluated against the applicable U.S. safety requirements.

It helps:

• Demonstrate compliance with U.S. regulations
• Support customs clearance
• Meet retailer and marketplace requirements
• Reduce the risk of recalls and enforcement actions
• Provide traceability for regulated children’s products

A CPC is not a laboratory test report or certification mark. It is a compliance declaration issued by the responsible company using supporting test reports.

---

When Is a CPC Required?

A CPC is required for any product classified as a children’s product under U.S. law.

The CPSC considers several factors when determining whether a product is intended primarily for children aged 12 years or younger.

These include:

• Intended use
• Age grading
• Product design
• Marketing materials
• Consumer perception
• Reasonably foreseeable use

If children are the primary intended users, a CPC is generally required before the product enters the U.S. market.

---

Products That Commonly Require a CPC

Examples include:

• Toys and games
• Plush toys
• Baby products
• Childcare articles
• Children’s furniture
• Children’s tableware
• School supplies
• Children’s jewellery
• Ride-on toys
• Learning and educational products

Whether products are manufactured domestically or imported, CPC requirements remain the same.

---

What Information Does a CPC Cover?

A CPC identifies the product and declares compliance with all applicable U.S. children’s product regulations.

Although the exact content varies depending on the product, a CPC generally includes:

• Product identification
• Applicable safety regulations
• Manufacturer or importer information
• Testing laboratory information
• Date and place of manufacture
• Date and place of testing
• Contact person responsible for maintaining test records

The certificate must accurately reflect the product that has been tested.

---

What Standards May Apply to a CPC?

The applicable regulations depend on the product category.

For many children’s products, compliance includes:

Regulation	Purpose
CPSIA	Lead, phthalates, testing requirements, tracking labels
ASTM F963	Toy safety requirements
16 CFR Regulations	Product-specific safety requirements
Other CPSC Rules	Product-specific requirements where applicable

A children’s toy, for example, typically requires compliance with both CPSIA and ASTM F963.

---

CPC vs CPSIA

Many businesses confuse CPC with CPSIA.

The difference is straightforward.

CPC	CPSIA
Compliance certificate	U.S. federal law
Issued by manufacturer or importer	Established by Congress
Declares product compliance	Defines safety requirements
References testing	Requires testing for regulated products

In short:

• CPSIA establishes the legal requirements.
• CPC declares that the product complies with those requirements.

---

CPC vs ASTM F963

These terms are also frequently confused.

CPC	ASTM F963
Compliance declaration	Toy safety standard
Legal document	Technical testing standard
Issued by manufacturer/importer	Used by testing laboratories
References applicable standards	Defines toy testing requirements

ASTM F963 helps determine whether a toy meets U.S. toy safety requirements, while the CPC confirms that the product complies with all applicable regulations.

---

Testing Required Before Issuing a CPC

Most children’s products require testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory before a CPC can be issued.

Depending on the product, testing may include:

• Mechanical and physical testing
• Lead testing
• Phthalates testing
• Flammability testing
• Electrical safety testing (where applicable)
• Label verification
• Abuse and durability testing

The required test scope depends on the product’s design, materials, intended age group, and applicable regulations.

---

Common CPC Compliance Mistakes

Manufacturers and importers often encounter compliance issues due to avoidable mistakes.

Common examples include:

• Assuming a product does not require a CPC because adults also use it
• Using test reports from non-CPSC-accepted laboratories
• Missing applicable regulations on the certificate
• Using outdated laboratory reports
• Applying European test reports instead of U.S. testing requirements
• Failing to update the CPC after product changes

Reviewing compliance requirements before production helps reduce these risks.

---

Consequences of Not Having a CPC

Selling a regulated children’s product without a valid CPC may result in:

• Customs delays
• Import refusal
• Product recalls
• Marketplace removal
• Civil penalties
• CPSC enforcement actions

Retailers and online marketplaces may also request a CPC before listing children’s products.

---

A Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a mandatory document for many children’s products entering the U.S. market. It demonstrates that the product complies with applicable CPSC regulations and is supported by testing from a CPSC-accepted laboratory. Identifying the correct testing requirements and maintaining accurate documentation are essential steps for achieving compliance and avoiding delays during import or distribution.

Related articles:

• ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard
• CPSIA Guide
• How to Determine Which Toy Safety Tests Your Product Needs
• Toy Safety Testing in China
• Toy Testing Cost Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions