Do Children’s Scissors Require CPC Certification? Understanding the Scope of CPC Certification
With the continuous expansion of the children’s toy market, consumer attention to toy safety has grown significantly. Countries and regions have established stringent safety standards to ensure toys do not pose risks to children. Standards such as ASTM F963-23, CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), and CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) have become critical compliance benchmarks for toy production and sales. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing addresses whether children’s scissors require CPC certification and provides a comprehensive overview of the scope of CPC certification.
Do Children’s Scissors Require CPC Certification?
Yes, children’s scissors designed or intended primarily for children aged 12 and under must undergo CPC certification. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA, 15 U.S.C. § 1278a) and related regulations (16 CFR Part 1110), children’s scissors, as products specifically designed for children, must be tested by a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory to ensure compliance with safety standards. The manufacturer or importer is then required to issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).
Why Do Children’s Scissors Require CPC Certification?
Safety Risks:
Children’s scissors may have sharp edges, plastic handles, or coatings that could contain hazardous substances such as lead or phthalates (e.g., the six regulated phthalates, or 6P, as referenced in your previous question). These pose risks of physical injury, chemical exposure, or other hazards.Regulatory Requirements:
The U.S. mandates that all children’s products comply with CPSIA and other CPSC regulations, requiring testing for physical, chemical, and flammability safety, followed by CPC issuance.Market Access:
E-commerce platforms like Temu and Amazon require sellers to upload CPC certificates to verify compliance, ensuring products meet U.S. market entry requirements.
Scope of CPC Certification
CPC certification applies to all products designed or intended primarily for children aged 12 and under. The following categories outline the scope:
Toys:
Examples: Dolls, models, puzzles, building blocks, plush toys.
Requirements: Must comply with ASTM F963 (Toy Safety Standard), testing for small parts, sharp edges, and chemical substances (e.g., lead, phthalates).
Children’s Clothing and Accessories:
Examples: Children’s apparel, shoes, hats, gloves, hair clips, necklaces.
Requirements: Testing for lead (<100 ppm), phthalates (6P, <1000 ppm), and flammability (16 CFR Part 1610 for textiles).
Children’s Products:
Examples: Children’s tableware, water bottles, baby bottles, children’s furniture, cribs, strollers, bicycles, tricycles, children’s scissors.
Requirements: Testing for physical performance (e.g., stability, no sharp edges), chemical safety (e.g., lead <100 ppm), and, for food contact items, compliance with FDA 21 CFR (e.g., BPA-free materials).
Products with Specific Materials:
Examples: Products with lead-based coatings or phthalates, such as plastic toys or coated scissor handles.
Requirements: Compliance with 16 CFR Part 1303 (lead in coatings <90 ppm) and 16 CFR Part 1307 (phthalates <1000 ppm).
Art Materials:
Examples: If children’s scissors are used for art activities (e.g., paper cutting), they must comply with LHAMA (16 CFR § 1500.14(b)(8)) and bear the label “Conforms to ASTM D-4236”.
Exemptions:
Certain natural materials (e.g., unpainted wood) may be exempt from lead testing per 16 CFR § 1500.91, but a CPC certificate is still required, noting the exemption.
Products not intended for children (e.g., adult scissors) do not require CPC certification.
CPC Certification Process for Children’s Scissors
Consultation and Preparation:
Contact a CPSC-accredited third-party laboratory, such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd., and submit:Product specifications (e.g., model, material composition like stainless steel blades or plastic handles).
Bill of Materials (BOM).
Samples (typically 2–3 units).
Target market information (primarily the U.S.).
Laboratory Testing:
Tests are conducted per CPSIA, ASTM F963, and other relevant standards (16 CFR Parts), including:Physical and Mechanical Safety: Ensuring no sharp edges, pinch points, or detachable small parts that pose choking hazards (per 16 CFR 1500.48/49).
Chemical Safety: Testing for lead (<100 ppm in substrates, <90 ppm in coatings), phthalates (<1000 ppm for 6P), and other substances like formaldehyde if textiles are involved.
Flammability: Compliance with 16 CFR 1610 (textiles) for any fabric components (e.g., handle grips).
Testing typically takes 5–15 working days, depending on material complexity.
Results Review:
The laboratory issues a test report. If non-compliant, adjust materials (e.g., switch to lead-free coatings or phthalate-free plastics) or design (e.g., blunt tips) and retest.CPC Certificate Issuance:
The manufacturer or importer prepares the CPC certificate, including:Product description (e.g., “Children’s Scissors, 5-inch, plastic handle”).
Applicable standards (e.g., CPSIA, ASTM F963, 16 CFR 1303).
Manufacturer/importer details.
Test dates, report number, and laboratory information.
Tracking label details (e.g., batch number).
U.S. Authorized Representative (USAR) information (required for platforms like Temu as of December 19, 2024).
Market Access:
Submit the CPC certificate and test report to platforms like Temu or Amazon, customs, or retailers to meet U.S. market requirements.Ongoing Compliance:
Retest annually or with new production batches, monitor CPSC updates, and retain records for at least 5 years.
Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive CPSIA and CPC certification solutions for children’s scissors. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.
