The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulates thousands of consumer products, from toys and baby products to apparel, furniture and household goods. Products under a CPSC rule need a certificate: a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), backed by testing at a CPSC-accepted third-party lab, or a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for general-use products. Since 8 July 2026, importers must also eFile certificate data with US Customs at entry. Global Approbation gets Indian exporters ready for all of this.
CPC vs GCC
| Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) | For products designed or intended mainly for children aged 12 and under. Must be based on testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory (e.g. CPSIA lead and phthalates limits, ASTM F963 for toys). |
|---|---|
| General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) | For general-use products subject to a CPSC rule, ban, standard or regulation. Can be based on a reasonable testing programme. |
| Who issues the certificate | The US importer (for imported goods) or the domestic manufacturer; in practice built on the Indian manufacturer’s test reports |
| eFiling | Mandatory from 8 July 2026: certificate data filed electronically in CBP’s ACE system (full PGA message set or a reference to the CPSC Product Registry) |
| Tracking labels | Children’s products need permanent tracking information on the product and packaging |
Products We Commonly Support
- Toys and games (ASTM F963)
- Children’s apparel and footwear
- Cribs, strollers and baby products
- Children’s furniture and bunk beds
- Adult apparel (textile flammability)
- Mattresses and upholstered furniture
- Bicycles and helmets
- Household and garden products under CPSC rules
How Global Approbation Handles CPSC Compliance
- Rule mapping. Every CPSC rule, ASTM standard and labelling requirement for your product identified.
- Testing. Testing arranged at a CPSC-accepted lab for children’s products, or a reasonable testing programme for general-use products.
- Certificate. CPC or GCC drafted with all required data elements for your US importer.
- eFiling readiness. Product data prepared for the CPSC Product Registry or the full ACE message set.
- Periodic testing. Ongoing testing and tracking-label plans for children’s products.
Already Compliant with BIS Toy Standards?
If you already meet BIS toy safety (IS 9873) in India, much of your material and design data is useful. US compliance still needs testing to ASTM F963 and CPSIA requirements at a CPSC-accepted lab.
CPSC / CPC: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CPC and a GCC?
A CPC covers children’s products (12 and under) and must be based on testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab. A GCC covers general-use products subject to CPSC rules and can be based on a reasonable testing programme.
What changed on 8 July 2026?
CPSC’s eFiling rule took effect. Importers must now file certificate data electronically with US Customs (ACE) when regulated consumer products are imported, instead of just holding the certificate.
Can an Indian lab test for a CPC?
Yes, if it is on CPSC’s list of accepted third-party testing laboratories for the relevant test methods. We coordinate with accepted labs.
Who is responsible for the certificate?
For imported products, the US importer certifies, but it relies on your test reports and product data. We prepare both so your buyer can file with confidence.
Regulations, standards and deadlines change. Scope, testing route and timelines are confirmed product by product after our applicability review. Global Approbation is a consultancy and does not itself issue certificates; approvals are granted by the relevant authority, accredited laboratory or certification body.