Begin by reviewing the Initial Certification Testing FAQ below for more information about third party testing generally. We've also provided FAQs about additional kinds of third party testing that may be required. The type of third party testing that may apply to an individual product may vary based on a variety of factors related to production choices. Companies should pay close attention to these mandatory testing requirements and maintain good records to document their compliance.
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Initial Certification Testing
All children's products must be third party tested by a CPSC-accepted lab. Based on passing results of the third party testing, the manufacturer must then issue a Children's Product Certificate.
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Component Part Testing
Third party tests can be conducted separately on component parts. Manufacturers and importers can either conduct the tests themselves or rely on test reports or component part certificates from another party, such as a supplier, if they use due care and follow all CPSC regulatory requirements.
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Material Change Testing
If you have made a material change to your children's product, you are required to either retest the product or retest the component part that was changed for compliance with those rules affected by the material change. You must then issue a new Children's Product Certificate based on the new passing test results.
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Periodic Testing
Periodic testing means third party testing that must be conducted on the continuing production of a children's product over specified time frames. This is in addition to initial certification and material change testing.