The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is applicable to all toys and other children’s products sold in the United States. In this guide, we list toys, babywear and other (often less obvious) products covered by CPSIA.
Content Overview
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Children’s Toys
CPSIA compliance is mandatory for toys products that are intended for use by children of 12 years old or younger. As children can be hurt by unsafe toys in many ways, such as choking, burns, and poisoning, therefore, toy products must be compliant with all relevant ASTM safety standards as required by CPSIA.
Most children’s toys are covered by ASTM F963 regarding the potential hazards and safety requirements.
Examples
- Plastic toys
- Plush toys
- Toy vehicles
- Wooden toys
Children’s Clothing & Babywear
CPSIA covers all children’s clothing and babywear as it can be dangerous for children. For instance, a child can be strangled with hood or drawstring found in many children’s clothing or babywear.
Also, children might choke on buttons that come loose on their clothing or get burned if their clothes catch fire. Finally, there are specific requirements for children’s clothing with strings.
As such, children’s clothing or babywear may need to comply with the ASTM standards such as ASTM F1816 and ASTM D1230.
Examples
- Children jackets
- Children socks
- Children sleepers
- Children romper
- Children beanie hats
Children’s Footwear
Footwear that is non-compliant with CPSIA is subject to force recalls. In fact, CPSC has recalled children’s shoes due to laceration hazards cause by sharp edges. More in general, children’s footwear must be compliant before entering the US market.
CPSIA also regulates hazardous substances such as lead and phthalate in all children’s product including footwear. In addition, the use of paint or surface coating on children’s shoes must not exceed 90 ppm.
Examples
- Children sandal
- Children sneaker
- Children snow boots
- Children lace shoes
- Children sports shoes
Children’s Jewelry
Children’s jewelry can be dangerous and cause harm to children. From the exposure to cadmium and lead to swallowing small metal jewelry components, non-compliant children’s jewelry might result in heavy fine or force-recall.
As such, CPSC has worked with the ASTM to develop ASTM F2923 standard for addressing the potential hazards associated with children’s jewelry, such as chemical exposure, hazardous liquids, nickel sensitization, and strangulation.
Examples
- Children necklaces
- Children rings
- Children bracelets
- Children earrings
School and Stationery Items
School and stationery products are generally used by both children and adults. However, by the CPSIA definitions, if the product is appropriate and potentially used by children, then it must also be compliant with CPSIA.
For instance, stationary items such as pencil or crayons must not contain excessive hazardous substances such as lead, nickel, and mercury. Also, children may be vulnerable to laceration hazards caused by pencils or any other sharp-edge stationery items.
Examples
- Pens and pencils
- Highlighters and markers
- Crayons and paints
- Papers and notebooks
- Scissors and staplers
Children’s Furniture
Children’s furniture sets designed primarily for children 12 years of age or younger are also considered children’s products. That’s including furniture that is decorated with childish themes, sized for children or ordinarily marketed to children.
With that said, children’s furniture such as children’s chairs must be compliant with CPISA before entering the US market.
Further, certain children’s products are subjected to specific ASTM standards, for instance, ASTM F2613 – Safety Specification for Children’s Chairs and Stools, and ASTM F2906 – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bedside Sleepers.
Examples
- Children’s high chairs
- Children’s bed
- Children’s mattresses
- Children’s chairs
- Children’s beanbags
Baby’s Cribs and Bassinets
Baby’s cribs or bassinets are also covered by the CPSIA, and they must meet certain specific safety requirements. Also, they are considered as durable products.
Manufacturers or importers of durable infant or toddler products, which are defined as products that are intended for children 5 years of age or younger, are required to provide postage-paid product registration cards with each product and place a permanent information label on the products.
In addition, durable infant or toddler products are subject to specific ASTM standards such as ATSM F2236 – Standard consumer safety specification for soft infant and toddler carriers.
Examples
- Children’s cribs (Full-size)
- Children’s cribs (Non-full-size)
- Children’s travel crib
- Children’s portable bassinets
Baby’ Strollers and Carriers
Strollers and carriers intended for use by children under the age of 5 years are also considered as a durable infant or toddler products, for which additional safety requirements might apply, to minimize the risk of deaths and injuries associated with the use of products.
Baby’s strollers and carriers shall not contain excessive lead or phthalate on its surface coating, and they must be supported with relevant test reports or certifications. Further, ASTM F833 and ASTM F2236 provide safety specifications for strollers and carriers to ensure safety requirements.
Additional Resources
1. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
2. CPSIA Tracking Label Guide For Importers & Amazon Sellers
3. CPSIA Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
4. CPSIA and ASTM F963 Product Lab Testing
5. Amazon Toys & Children’s Products Requirements For Sellers
Would self-adhesive stickers marketed to children be considered “toys” for CPSIA purposes?
what about kids bluetooth headphones or wired headphones, decibel level is under or at 85Db. age grade on the packaging is 5+, which testing requirements are needed
Where do sun hats (bucket hats) for ages 0+ fall under CPSIA? Above it is mentioned that Children beanie hats may need to comply with the ASTM standards such as ASTM F1816 and ASTM D1230. Does this also apply to Sun hats?
Hi Arron,
We cannot determine applicable standards. You need to contact a CPSC accepted lab for that.
What tests are required for plant based vegan leather, to be in compliance with CPSIA ( for Adults)?
Hi Hannu,
You need to contact a lab directly
USA Cotton come under scope of CPSIA ??
That depends on the product age group, not the material.
Does adult safety footwear require testing or certification?
Probably, but not related to CPSIA
How about educational posters/charts? are these exempted? Thanks
Does synthetic leather need to be tested?
Hi Jennifer,
I don’t see why it would be exempt from CPSIA testing.
Congratulations. Very useful information , I only doubt remains:
food contact articles must comply with CPSIA? For example ceramicware for children, must comply with the specific requirement of section 101 of the CPSIA law that specified that “all children’s products manufactured in or imported into the United States must not contain more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of total lead content in accessible parts.
Thank you.
Hi Marta,
Yes, children’s food contact products must be CPSIA compliant and lab tested