Walk-behind power lawn mowers that are consumer products must comply with a mandatory federal consumer product safety standard: 16 CFR Part 1205, the Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers. This standard also requires on-product labeling.
Mowers that meet all three of the following characteristics, as described in 16 CFR § 1205.1(c)(1), are not covered by the standard and do not require the issuance of a GCC:
- a cutting width of 30 in. (762 mm), or greater;
- a weight of 200 lbs. (90.7 kg), or more; and
- for engine-powered mowers, an engine of 8 horsepower (6 kw), or more.
Reel-type mowers are not required to meet the performance requirements in the standard, but they must be labeled, as required by 16 CFR § 1205.6.
Manufacturers (or importers) must issue a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) certifying compliance with the standard for all covered power lawn mowers.
Section 2 of a GCC requires a list of applicable citations for the product being certified. The citation for walk-behind power lawn mower is: 16 CFR Part 1205.