CPSC Third Party Testing Requirements Go Into Effect

Playthings Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 1/31/2013 11:57:28 AM

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has approved third party test requirements for domestic manufacturers, importers and private labelers of children's products, which will go into effect on February 8, 2013, according to the Toy Industry Association (TIA).

The Testing and Labeling Pertaining to Product Certification, approved on October 20, 2011, provides a framework regarding third party testing rules to ensure companies are in compliance with the standards outlined in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

The rule also mandates that manufacturers submit representative samples of a children's product to a third party conformity assessment body for testing to support certification, both periodically and if there is a material change to a product, including changes in design or source of component parts). It also requires manufacturers to maintain paperwork for five years to support certifications of compliance, traceability and testing documents. Manufacturers may use component part testing or rely on another party's finished product testing or certification to meet the Rule's requirements.

The TIA has put together a summary of the rule. The February 8th date marks the end of several stays of enforcement on the testing requirements due to ambiguity on how to properly implement testing programs.