CPSC Testing and Certification and Component Parts Testing Rules
U.S. domestic manufacturers and importers of “children’s products” are required to certify that their products meet all mandatory U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards. For children's products manufactured on and after February 8, 2013, according to the new Testing and Labeling Pertaining to Product Certification Rule (a.k.a Reasonable Testing Program Rule) adopted by the CPSC in November 2011, a comprehensive technical file will be required to demonstrate continued product compliance throughout the production. Failure to certify covered products and develop the required documentation for the technical file will be considered a “prohibited act,” subjecting companies to possible civil fines. Information required in the technical file is extensive and among other documents includes a “Periodic/Production Testing Plan” that imparts a “high degree of assurance” of continued compliance to all applicable standards as well as formal policies and training to prevent the exercise of “undue influence” over the Third party test laboratories accepted by the CPSC. In addition, the new Component Part Testing Rule, which became effective on December 8, 2011, allows companies to issue compliance certificates based in whole or in part on the third-party test reports or certificates provided by component part/materials suppliers, but only under specified conditions and with required documentation.
Intertek offers a full suite of services for CPSIA Testing through our extensive global network of CPSC-accredited laboratories.
