CPC Certification — Children’s Product Compliance for the U.S. Market

The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is a mandatory compliance document required by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for children’s products sold or imported into the United States.
A CPC certifies that a children’s product complies with all applicable U.S. safety rules and standards and is supported by testing conducted by a CPSC-accepted laboratory.

What Is a Children’s Product?

Under U.S. regulations, a children’s product is any consumer product designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age or younger. This determination is based on:

• Product design and intended use

• Marketing, packaging, and labeling

• Consumer perception

• CPSC guidance and enforcement practice

Children’s products are subject to enhanced safety and testing requirements.

CPC Regulatory Requirements

A valid CPC must be issued by the manufacturer or importer and must be based on passing test results from a CPSC-accepted laboratory. The certificate must identify:

• Product description and model identification

• Applicable safety regulations and standards

• Testing laboratory information

• Date and location of manufacture

• Date and location of testing

• Importer or manufacturer contact details

The CPC must be available to CPSC and U.S. Customs upon request.

Common Safety Requirements Covered by CPC

Depending on product type, a CPC may be based on one or more of the following requirements:

• CPSIA lead content limits

• CPSIA phthalates restrictions

• Mechanical and physical safety requirements

• Small parts and choking hazard evaluation

• Flammability requirements (e.g. textiles, sleepwear)

• Surface coating and paint requirements

• Tracking label requirements

The applicable scope is determined through product risk and regulatory assessment.

Typical Children’s Products Requiring CPC

CPC certification is commonly required for:

• Toys and games

• Infant and toddler products

• Children’s furniture

• Children’s apparel and textiles

• Childcare articles

• School and educational products

Each product category may trigger different test standards and documentation requirements.

CPC Project Implementation Workflow

1) Product Assessment and Scope Definition

Technical review to confirm children’s product status and identify applicable regulations and test requirements.

2) Third-Party Testing Coordination

Testing is conducted by a CPSC-accepted laboratory according to applicable standards and methods.

3) Test Data Review and Compliance Confirmation

Test results are reviewed against regulatory limits to confirm compliance or identify nonconformities.

4) CPC Issuance

A Children’s Product Certificate is prepared and issued based on compliant test results and regulatory scope.

5) Ongoing Compliance Support

Support for tracking label verification, product changes, re-testing, and post-market compliance obligations.

Import and Market Access Considerations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may request CPC documentation during import clearance. Missing or incorrect CPCs may result in:

• Import detention or refusal

• Product holds and additional inspection

• Delays to market entry

Proper CPC preparation is critical for smooth customs clearance.

Why a Structured CPC Program Matters

A well-managed CPC program helps ensure:

• Accurate identification of applicable regulations

• Defensible test coverage for audits or enforcement

• Reduced risk of recalls and penalties

• Confidence for retailers and online platforms

CPC compliance is a foundational requirement for selling children’s products in the U.S. market.

Start Your CPC Compliance Project

Provide your product details, age grading, materials, and intended sales channels to receive a CPC compliance assessment and project proposal. Our team supports end-to-end CPC implementation, from testing coordination to certificate issuance and ongoing compliance support.