CPSIA Children’s Product Certificate (CPC): A Practical Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Toy manufacturer

Planning to import toys and children’s products to the United States or sell on Amazon? If so, a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is mandatory. In this guide, we explain why you need a CPC, how to create on and why you should not rely on your overseas manufacturer to do it for you.

Overview

  • What is a Children’s Product Certificate?
  • Why do I need a Children’s Product Certificate?
  • Which products require a CPC?
  • What information do I need to include?
  • Who is responsible for issuing the Children’s Product Certificate?
  • Do I need to create a CPC for each product?
  • Do I need to create a CPC for each new order?
  • Can I get a CPC from my supplier?
  • Do I need to get the CPC approved by a third party?
  • How much does a Children’s Product Certificate cost?
  • Does Amazon require a Children’s Product Certificate?
  • Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) Sample

Continue reading CPSIA Children’s Product Certificate (CPC): A Practical Guide

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): A Practical Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Bike helmet

Planning to import products from Asia to the United States? Chances are that you must issue a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). In this guide, we explain how this works in practice.

Content Overview

  • What is a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)?
  • Which products require a GCC?
  • Is a GCC required for all products?
  • What information must be included in the GCC?
  • Who issues the GCC?
  • Do I need to get the GCC approved by a third party?
  • Do I need a GCC test report?
  • Can I get the GCC from the manufacturer?
  • How much does it cost to get a GCC?
  • What’s the difference between a CPC and GCC?

Bonus: General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) Sample Continue reading General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): A Practical Guide

Clothing and Textiles Regulations in Canada: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

canada textiles regulations

Planning to import and sell clothing or other textiles products in Canada? In this guide, written by Shufen Lee based in Toronto, you will learn what textiles importers must know about restricted chemicals, labeling requirements, children’s clothing regulations, and flammability.

Content Overview

  • Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
  • Textile Labeling Act (TLA)
  • Textile Labeling and Advertising Regulation (TLAR)
  • Textile Flammability Regulations
  • Children Sleepwear Regulation

Continue reading Clothing and Textiles Regulations in Canada: A Complete Guide

EN 71 Toy Safety Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

EN-71 lab testing

About to import or export toys to the European Union? EN 71 lab testing is the only way to verify if your products are compliant with the EU Toy Safety Directive. In this guide, we explain what you must know before booking a lab test, and why you should not take a factory test report at face value.

Overview
  • What is EN 71 toy safety testing?
  • Is EN 71 lab testing mandatory?
  • Why do I need a test report?
  • How do I know which EN 71 part applies to my product?
  • Can I use a test report from my supplier?
  • How do I know if a supplier is EN 71 certified?
  • EN 71 lab testing costs
  • List of EN 71 toy safety testing companies

Continue reading EN 71 Toy Safety Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

REACH Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

REACH testing facility in Vietnam

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and restriction of CHemicals) regulates chemicals, heavy metals and pollutants in all consumer products imported to or manufactured in the European Union.

Third-party lab testing is the only way to verify that your product or REACH compliant, and therefore legal to sell in the European Union.

In this guide, we explain what every importer and exporter must know about REACH lab testing. Continue reading REACH Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

CPSIA and ASTM F963 Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

CPSIA testing

CPSIA lab testing is mandatory when importing and selling toys and other children’s products in the United States. This guide answers the essential questions about CPSIA and ASTM testing that all importers and Amazon sellers must know.

This is covered
  • What is CPSIA lab testing?
  • Is CPSIA lab testing mandatory?
  • Can I use a test report from my supplier?
  • Do I need to test all the products?
  • Do I need to test my products each time we place an order?
  • Do I need to get the lab test done in the United States?
  • Does Amazon require CPSIA test reports?
  • Do I need to get my product tested if it’s already sold in the United States?
  • How to confirm applicable ASTM and other standards
  • How to manage your lab test booking
  • CPSIA lab testing costs
  • List of CPSIA lab testing companies

Continue reading CPSIA and ASTM F963 Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Toy & Children’s Product Standards in Australia & New Zealand

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

australia toy safety

Planning to import and sell toys or other children’s products in Australia or New Zealand? In this guide, we explain what you must know about mandatory standards, heavy metals restrictions, testing procedures, and labeling.

Product Categories

  • Kids clothing
  • Kids equipment
  • Toys
  • Kids furniture

Overview

  • Regulated Products
  • General Safety Requirements
  • AS/NZS Standards
  • Testing Requirements
  • Labeling Requirements
  • Checklist
  • FAQ

Continue reading Toy & Children’s Product Standards in Australia & New Zealand

How to Verify if a Supplier Can Make Safe And Compliant Products

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Suggestion: Watch the 15 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Far from all manufacturers have the capability to manufacture compliant products. Even fewer suppliers can offer a full set of compliance documents, such as test reports and technical files.

So how do you verify if a supplier has the right compliance documentation, or at least the capability to manufacture compliant products?

Many importers assume that the solution is as simple as asking for a test report, but as I explain in this guide, the reality is far more complex and risky. Continue reading How to Verify if a Supplier Can Make Safe And Compliant Products

How to Determine Applicable Product Safety Standards: 5 Methods

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 2 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 15 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

How do you know which product safety standards and labeling requirements apply your product?

Finding information on product regulations, be it a simple t-shirt or a new electronic device, is often the hardest part of the compliance process. In this guide, we list official websites and service providers that can help you find out which regulations apply to your products.

This is covered

  • US Government Websites
  • EU Government Websites
  • Australian Government Websites
  • Online Platforms
  • Testing Companies
  • Compliance Consultants
  • Amazon Seller Central

In addition, you will also learn how lab testing companies and consultants can help you assess mandatory product regulations and standards for your products.

Compliance Checklist

You’re not going to get very far unless you know what to look for using the sources referenced in this guide. While requirements differ depending on the product, age group and country – you should use this universal product compliance checklist when assessing which regulations and standards apply to your product:

1. Confirm mandatory product regulations and directives (e.g. REACH and CPSIA)

2. Confirm applicable product standards (e.g. EN, ASTM and ISO)

3. Confirm applicable labeling requirements (e.g. CE and CPSIA Tracking Label)

4. Confirm applicable documentation/certification requirements (e.g. DoC and CPC)

5. Confirm facility requirements (e.g. GMP and ISO 22000) Continue reading How to Determine Applicable Product Safety Standards: 5 Methods

United States Product Labeling Requirements: An Overview

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Suggestion: Watch the 15 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Planning to import or export products to the United States? In this article, we explain what you must know about product and packaging labeling requirements, covering everything from clothing and electronics to children’s products and household items.

Overview

  • Country of Origin
  • CPSIA Tracking Label
  • Clothing Labeling
  • FCC Mark
  • UL Mark
  • Choking Hazard Warnings
  • California Proposition 65 Warning Label
  • FHSA Warning Label
  • Amazon Product Labeling Requirements

Country of Origin

The country of origin must be visibly printed on the product and packaging. For example, products manufactured in Vietnam should be labelled as ‘Made in Vietnam.

Note that you are not allowed to transship a product to a third country for relabeling. The same applies to repackaging or minor adjustments made for the sake of claiming that a certain product was manufactured in a different country.

Examples

  • Made in China
  • Made in Vietnam
  • Made in the United States
  • Made in Germany

Continue reading United States Product Labeling Requirements: An Overview