Product Certification Requirements in the United States: An Overview

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Product certification is mandatory when manufacturing, importing, and selling certain products in the United States. In this guide, we introduce you to product certification requirements covering the following areas:

• Toys and children’s products
• General use products
• Electronics
• Wooden products
• Other products

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Examples	Description
	Children’s Product Certificate (CPC): Required for all children’s products and based on test reports
	General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): Required for general use products (non-children’s products) covered by CPSC product safety rules
	eFiling: Required for children’s products (CPC) and general use products for which a GCC is required.
	FCC Certification: Authorization procedure required for some types of electronic products, such as Wi-fi and Bluetooth-enabled devices.
	APHIS Permits & Certification: Required for some types of wooden products

Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)

Manufacturers or importers of children’s products must issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). It must generally include the following:

• Product name and description
• List of applied and mandatory ASTM and CPSC standards (e.g, ASTM F963)
• Importer or domestic manufacturer information (US company name, US address, e-mail, phone)
• Contact information of the person with access to the test report (name, address, e-mail, phone)
• Manufacturing location (city, province, country) and date (month, year)
• Testing date (month, year) and location (city, province, country)
• CPSC accepted third-party lab testing companies (company, contact person, address, phone, e-mail)

Product examples

Here are some examples of products for which a CPC is required:

• Toys
• Baby carriers
• Strollers
• Feeding bottles
• Children’s furniture
• Children’s clothing

Requirements

A Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) can only be issued based on a test report valid for the certified products. Further, the test report must be issued by a CPSC-accepted lab.

Learn more: CPSIA Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)

Manufacturers and importers must issue a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for general use products (non-children’s products) covered by certain product safety rules.

The GCC format is nearly identical to that of the CPC and contains the following:

• Product name and description
• List of applicable CPSC safety rules and ASTM standards
• Your company name
• Contact details: Mailing address, e-mail address, phone number
• Name of the person holding the test report
• Date (month, year) and place (city, country) of production
• Date (month, year) and place (city, country) of product testing
• Third-party testing company, contact person, e-mail, phone number, and address

Product examples

Here are some examples of product safety rules that require a GCC:

Part 1420 – Requirements For All Terrain Vehicles

Part 1211 – Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators

Part 1211 – Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators

Part 1632 – Standard For the Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress Pads (Ff 4-72, Amended)

Part 1610 – Standard For the Flammability of Clothing Textiles

Requirements

A GCC is generally issued based on testing. However, there is no requirement to use a CPSC-accepted lab.If you ask me, I’d still recommend using a CPSC-accepted lab even if this is not mandatory.

Learn more: General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)

Certificate eFiling

Starting in July 2026, electronic filing is mandatory for products covered by the following product certificates:

• Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
• General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)

You can learn more about eFiling in this guide.

FCC Certification (Equipment Authorization)

The certification is an equipment authorization procedure that is required for most intentional radiators (e.g., Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled devices) and some types of unintentional radiators (e.g., scanning receivers, radar detectors, and access BPL).

It is issued by an FCC-recognised Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB) to manufacturers and importers, upon the evaluation of the following:

• Test reports,
• Technical report

Other supporting documentation can also be included in the evaluation.

Product examples

• Wireless garage door openers
• Wireless microphones
• Wi-fi transmitters
• Bluetooth radio devices

Requirements

In order to complete the certification authorization procedure, you need to:

1. Get your device tested by an FCC-recognized, accredited testing laboratory against relevant standards (e.g., ANSI standards)

2. Obtain an FCC Registration Number (FRN)

3. Obtain a Grantee Code

4. Apply with a TCB by submitting the information listed in 47 CFR Part 2.1033 (e.g., technical report)

5. Receive the grant of certification issued by the TCB

6. Affix the FCC ID and other relevant information to the devices and their packaging

Learn more: FCC Certification Guide: An Overview

APHIS Permits & Certification

A USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Permit is required when importing certain types of wooden products to the United States, including furniture and handicrafts. In order to get the permit, importers must apply online before the arrival of the shipment, via the eFile system.

Here is some of the information that is listed in the permit:

• Application information (e.g., address)
• Permit number
• Date of issuance
• Expiration date
• Product type/information
• Country of origin

Some products may also need phytosanitary treatment and a certificate.

FAQ

Which products must be certified in the US?

Product certificates are required for all children’s products and general use products covered by CPSC product safety rules. The latter includes button cell batteries, magnets, certain apparel, and many other products.

Further, certain electronic products defined as intentional radiators also require certification.

How can I get a product certified in the US?

There are two types of certificates:

1. Manufacturer or importer issued certificates (issued based on test reports)

2. Third-party issued certificates

For example, a CPC or GCC is self-issued but must be based on test reports.

Do I need product certification to sell on Amazon?

Yes, Amazon can request product certificates and supporting documentation when you list products. They can also carry out routine certificate checks months or even years after a product has been listed.

Note that a certificate alone is normally not sufficient. You will likely need to provide supporting test reports as well.

How do I get the right certificate for my product?

Most product certificates are self-issued. For example, issuing a CPC is not more complicated than editing the template available on the CPSC website. That said, you must still obtain a third-party lab test report before you can issue a valid CPC.

Can I get a product certificate from my supplier?

Most manufacturers outside the United States don’t have the necessary expertise to issue product certificates, such as a CPC and GCC. Further, some product certificates can only be issued by US companies.

What can happen if I don’t have a product certificate?

There are a few scenarios to take into consideration:

1. Your product may be held by the US customs

2. Amazon may reject your product

3. Your product may be subject to a recall

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