Business Guidance FAQ

Automatic residential garage door operators must comply with a mandatory federal consumer product safety standard: 16 CFR Part 1211 , the Safety Standard for Automatic Residential Garage Door Operators. This particular rule requires on-product certification in addition to a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). For the on-product certification requirement, please be sure to review carefully 16 CFR § 1211.24(b).

Section 2 of a GCC requires a list of applicable citations for the product being certified. The citation for automatic residential garage door operators is: CFR Part 1211.

The Commission has determined that extension cords (for indoor and outdoor use) that do not contain one or more applicable readily observable safety characteristics (minimum wire size; sufficient strain relief; proper polarization; proper continuity; outlet covers (for indoor cords); and jacketed cords (for outdoor cords) present a risk of electrical shock or fire and constitute a substantial product hazard. 

The Commission’s determination has certain consequences described below. Notably, a product on the “substantial product hazard” list is subject to the mandatory reporting requirements of section 15(b) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2064(b).

Extension cords are defined as a length of factory-assembled flexible cord with an attachment plug or current tap as a line fitting and with a cord connector as a load fitting.

Extension cords (see figure 1) are used for extending the electricity supply of an electrical outlet or receptacle to a portable corded appliance or device, such as a toaster, a lamp, a television, or a leaf blower. The rule applies to extension cords that are equipped with National Electrical Manufacturer Association (“NEMA”) 1-15, 5-15 and 5-20 fittings (see figure 2), and that are intended for indoor use only, or for both indoor and outdoor use.  The Commission refers to cords intended for indoor use only as “indoor cords” and to cords intended for both indoor and outdoor use as “outdoor cords.”   The term “extension cord” does not include detachable power supply cords, appliance cords, power strips and taps, and adaptor cords supplied with outdoor tools and yard equipment (see figure 3).   (Extension cords have receptacles or outlets molded into the cord itself, whereas power strips and taps have flexible cord but receptacles or outlets are not molded into the cord itself.   Power strips and taps covered by a voluntary industry consensus, the Standard for Current Taps and Adapters, UL 498A)

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

All products within the scope of the rule are covered by UL 817.

The following table provides a non-exhaustive list of examples of extension cords that fall within and outside the scope of the rule.

In Scope:  Household extension cords, factory-assembled,

120 volts AC, including:

• Indoor or general-use extension cords (also known as cord sets), including seasonal indoor extension cords (which are designed to be used for only limited time period)
• Outdoor extension cords (also known as cord sets)

Out of Scope:

• Detachable power cords, either with appliance or other nonstandard plugs (e.g., accompanying electronic or other electrically powered items), or with fittings of different configurations (e.g., a clothes washer replacement cord with a plug at one end and individual wire terminals at the other end)
• Unassembled components, such as flexible cord or fittings, which may be assembled into extension cords or installed in permanent branch circuit wiring systems
• Cord sets intended for use with non-branch-circuit household current, i.e., greater or less than nominal 120 volts AC (e.g., for use with 220 volt appliances, or for 15-50 ampere/125-–250-volt recreational vehicles)
• Power strips, power taps, and surge protectors

In general, sections 2, 9, 16, 19, 20, 21, 26, 30, 31, 32, 84, and 105 of UL 817 set forth the requirements for the readily observable characteristics specified in the rule: minimum wire size;  sufficient strain relief; proper polarization; proper continuity; outlet covers (for indoor cords); and jacketed cords (for outdoor cords).  The presence of these characteristics reduces the risk of electrical shock or fire. 

What are the applicable readily observable safety characteristics?

The following table summarizes the readily observable characteristics for extension cords:

Table:  Readily Observable Characteristics for Extension Cords

Please see the Commission’s final rule (80 FR 44262 (July 27, 2015)) for more details and review a copy of UL 817-2014.

Four of the six observable characteristics apply to all general-use extension cords (indoor and outdoor extension cords, including indoor seasonal extension cords): (1) minimum wire size; (2) sufficient strain relief; (3) proper polarity; and (4) proper continuity.  All four characteristics must be present for the product not to present a substantial product hazard.

Additionally, one characteristic (outlet covers) applies to 2-wire indoor extension cords, and one characteristic (jacketed cord) applies to outdoor extension cords.  Thus, 2-wire indoor and all outdoor extension cords would each be required to exhibit five readily observable characteristics described in UL 817.  If one or more applicable characteristics are missing, the product presents a substantial product hazard under section 15(a)(2) of the CPSA.

To purchase copies of UL 817-2014., contact: UL, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; telephone: 888-853-3503; www.comm-2000.com.

No. A rule under section 15(j) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (“CPSA”)(pdf) is not a consumer product safety rule and does not create a consumer product safety standard. Thus, the rule does not trigger any testing or certification requirements under section 14(a) of the CPSA.

Section 15(j) gives the Commission the authority to specify, by rule, for a consumer product or class of consumer products, characteristics whose presence or absence the Commission considers a “substantial product hazard” under 15(a)(2) of the CPSA. This type of rule is referred to here as a “15(j) rule.”

Although a 15(j) rule does not establish a consumer product safety standard, placing a consumer product on this substantial product hazard list has certain consequences. A product on the “substantial product hazard” list is subject to the reporting requirements of section 15(b) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2064(b). A manufacturer who fails to report a substantial product hazard to the Commission in accordance with CPSC requirements at [cite CFR] is subject to civil penalties under section 20 of the CPSA and possibly is subject to criminal penalties under section 21 of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2069, 2070. A product that is, or contains, a substantial product hazard, is subject to corrective action under section 15(c) and (d) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2064(c), (d). Thus, the Commission can order the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product to offer to repair or replace the product, or to refund the purchase price to the consumer. Finally, a product on the “substantial product hazard” list that is offered for import into the United States must be refused admission into the United States under section 17(a) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2066(a).

The Commission has determined that hand-supported hair dryers that are not equipped with integral immersion protection are a substantial product hazard. A hand-supported hair dryer without this protection can be recalled. Integral immersion protection reduces the risk of electric shock if the hair dryer is immersed in, or otherwise contacts, water. This protection is provided in a block-shaped plug that incorporates a type of circuit interrupter.

A hand-supported hair dryer is an electrical appliance, intended to be held with one hand during use, which creates a flow of air over or through a self-contained heating element for the purpose of drying hair.

In general, the relevant sections of the UL standards require that hand-supported hair dryers be equipped with integral immersion protection that reduces the risk of electric shock if the hair dryer is immersed in, or otherwise contacts, water. This protection is provided in a block-shaped plug that incorporates a type of circuit interrupter. 

To obtain copies of these UL standards, contact: UL, Inc., 333 Pfingsten Road, Northbrook, IL 60062; telephone: 888-853-3503; www.comm-2000.com.

No. A 15(j) rule is not a consumer product safety rule and does not create a consumer product safety standard. Thus, the rule does not trigger any testing or certification requirements under section 14(a) of the CPSA.

Section 15(j) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (pdf) gives the Commission the authority to specify, by rule, for a consumer product or class of consumer products, characteristics whose presence or absence the Commission considers a "substantial product hazard" under 15(a)(2) of the CPSA. This type of rule is referred to here as a "15(j) rule."

While a 15(j) rule does not establish a consumer product safety standard, placing a consumer product on this substantial product hazard list has certain consequences. A product that is, or has, a substantial product hazard is subject to the reporting requirements of section 15(b) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2064(b). A manufacturer who fails to report a substantial product hazard to the Commission is subject to civil penalties under section 20 of the CPSA and possibly is subject to criminal penalties under section 21 of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2069, 2070. A product that is, or contains, a substantial product hazard, is subject to corrective action under section 15(c) and (d) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2064(c), (d). Thus, the Commission can order the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product to offer to repair or replace the product, or to refund the purchase price to the consumer. Finally, a product that is offered for import into the United States, and is, or contains, a substantial product hazard, must be refused admission into the United States under section 17(a) of the CPSA. 15 U.S.C. 2066(a).

The Commission issued a 15(j) rule with regard to hand-supported hair dryers. See 16 CFR § 1120.3. The rule places on the substantial product hazard list, found at 16 CFR Part 1120, "Hand-supported hair dryers that do not provide integral immersion protection in compliance with the requirements of section 5 of Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) Standard for Safety for Household Electric Personal Grooming Appliances, UL 859, 10th Edition, approved August 30, 2002, and revised through June 3, 2010, or section 6 of UL's Standard for Safety for Commercial Electric Personal Grooming Appliances, UL 1727, 4th Edition, approved March 25, 1999, and revised through June 25, 2010." 16 CFR § 1120.3(b)(1).

Refrigerators must comply with a mandatory federal consumer product safety statute, the Refrigerator Safety Act, 15 USC §§1211-1214 and 16 CFR Part 1750. This Act requires that household refrigerators must be equipped with a device that enables the refrigerator door to be opened from the inside.

Section 2 of a GCC requires a list of applicable citations for the product being certified. The citation for refrigerators is: 16 CFR Part 1750.

Effective as of August 2, 2019, the CPSC is no longer enforcing the requirements to issue a general certificate of conformity (GCC) for household refrigerators if the product displays an appropriate safety certification mark indicating compliance. Please see the Federal Register Notice for more information.

The standard seeks to reduce or eliminate an unreasonable risk of death or injury to consumers who ingest one or more “hazardous magnets” from a “subject magnet product.”

A “subject magnet product” is a consumer product designed, marketed, or intended to be used for one or more of the following purposes:

• Entertainment
• Jewelry (including children’s jewelry)
• Mental stimulation
• Stress relief

Toys that are subject to the requirements of 16 CFR part 1250, which incorporates by reference ASTM F963, are exempt from the requirements in the magnet standard. Additionally, the standard excludes products used exclusively for educational, research, professional, commercial, and/or industrial purposes that are sold and/or distributed to one or more of the following:

• School educators
• Researchers
• Professionals
• Commercial or industrial users

A “hazardous magnet” is a magnet that fits entirely within the small parts test cylinder (see Figure 1 of 16 CFR § 1501.4) and has a flux index of 50 kG²mm² or more when tested in accordance with the procedures outlined in sections 8.25.1 through 8.25.3 of ASTM F963.

A read-only copy of ASTM F963 is available on ASTM’s Reading Room at: https://www.astm.org/products-services/reading-room.html.

Yes. The definition of “subject magnet product” does not differentiate between consumer products containing magnet sets or individual magnets. Both types of products are subject to the magnet rule.

The rule was published in the Federal Register at 87 FR 57756 and may be cited as 16 CFR part 1262.

Yes. Manufacturers or importers of magnets must issue a certificate of compliance (Children’s Product Certificate or CPC for children’s products, General Certificate of Compliance or GCC for general-use products). For more information on certificates, please visit our CPC page or GCC page.

Yes. Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act requires any manufacturer or importer of a product subject to a consumer product safety rule to certify that it complies. As a result, any manufacturer or importer of a product that meets the definition of a “subject magnet product” at 16 CFR § 1262.2(b), must issue a certificate of compliance (GCC or CPC) for that product.

For a general-use magnet product that is not subject to any other consumer product safety rule, this may mean that sections 6 and 7 of a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) read “N/A”.

Yes. Such components would be considered within scope and must be tested to determine if they have a flux index of 50 kG²mm² or more. The intent of the Safety Standard for Magnets is to address the ingestion and internal interaction of magnets capable of being ingested and interacting internally through body tissue.

The regulation does not define these terms, though firms should certainly exercise due diligence when assessing their products. The Safety Standard for Magnets is intended to address subject magnet products that pose a magnetic internal interaction hazard under reasonably foreseeable use. One recommendation may be to subject the product to use and abuse testing as outlined at 16 CFR §§ 1500.51, 1500.52, or 1500.53.