CPSIA

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) was signed into law in 2008. The CPSIA specifically targets children’s products, which the Act defines as any product designed or intended primarily for use by children 12 years of age or younger. The CPSIA includes the following provisions:

• Lead and lead paint - Children’s products are subject to strict limits regarding lead content. Lead content in surface coatings and paint is limited to 90 parts per million (ppm). Total lead content in substrate materials is limited to 100 ppm.
• Phthalates - Manufacturers cannot manufacture or import for sale into the U.S., any children’s toys and certain childcare articles that contain phthalates, including DEHP, DBP or BBP, at levels in excess of 0.1% individually. On an interim basis, the U.S. also banned three additional types of phthalates (DINP, DIDP, DnOP) in any  amount greater than 0.1% in a children's toy that can be placed in a child's mouth, and child care articles.
• Toy safety standard - All toys designed or intended primarily for children 12 years of age and younger must comply with all mandatory sections of the toy safety standard ASTM F963-11.
• Third-party testing and certification - U.S. manufacturers and importers are required to test many consumer products for compliance with consumer product safety requirements. Based on passing test results, the manufacturer or importer must certify the consumer product as follows: 
• Children's Product Certificate (CPC) in which the manufacturer or importer certifies that its children's product complies with all applicable children's product safety rules.
• General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) in which the manufacturer or importer certifies that its non-children's (general use) product complies with all applicable consumer product safety rules.
• Tracking labels - U.S. manufacturers or importers are responsible for placing identifying marks on children’s products and their packaging, indicating the name of the manufacturer or private labeller, location and date of production, batch or run number, or other identifying characteristics.

Testing and certification of children’s products to the requirements of the CPSIA are required for legal entry into the U.S. market. Further, manufacturers, importers or distributors who fail to report potential product safety hazards to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are subject to civil fines of up to $100,000 per individual violation, up to a maximum of $15 million. In addition, criminal penalties for violations of consumer product safety regulations can include asset forfeiture of as well as imprisonment for up to five years.

TÜV SÜD offers a complete range of testing, certification, auditing and advisory services on regulations and standards applicable to toys and other children’s products. Our global network of accredited laboratories can test your products to the requirements of the CPSIA, as well as other national and international regulations and standards. The TÜV SÜD blue octagon certification mark is globally recognised as a symbol of product safety.

TÜV SÜD’s testing services for toys and children’s products include:

• Testing - TÜV SÜD testing laboratories have been accredited by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for testing to CPSIA requirements.
• Documentation - We can review the content of your documentation and advise of any changes necessary to ensure compliance.
• Regulations - TÜV SÜD technical experts keep up-to-date on applicable regulations, and participate in a number of key industry groups and trade organisations.
• Other requirements - We can offer support in complying CPSIA-required testing in conjunction with other international regulations and standards.

TÜV SÜD is a trusted partner to companies ranging from global manufacturers to regional and local research and development firms. Our team of specialists works with you through the entire product development cycle to add value and help you to deliver safe and reliable products. TÜV SÜD technical professionals are actively involved in international advisory boards and standards development activities, ensuring up-to-date knowledge of current and changing requirements.

Represented in over 800 locations worldwide, TÜV SÜD has an unsurpassed track record of meeting and exceeding the requirements and expectations of our client companies. The TÜV SÜD brand and our distinctive blue octagon mark are instantly recognised around the globe as symbols of quality and safety, and will increase customer confidence in your brand.