When you receive testing reports and statements, you want to keep those in your records and update them yearly as part of your "due diligence" plan. Updating the statement each year shows that you are taking the steps to maximize success of having a safe component. Keep in mind that the test covers the component when it was manufactured, so if you haven't purchased more of that component, you do not need to get a new statement.

Moving on to your finished products, you likely will need to create your own certificate of compliance. If you’ve been following groups on Facebook, you may have seen the term “CPC” or “Children’s Product Certificate” thrown around from time to time, but what is it?

First, let me tell you what it is not.

• It is not something you get from someone else.
• It is not something required for ONLY children’s products (there is another version for general use products).
• It is not something you share to direct consumers.

What it IS.

• It is something you create on your own (a Word document or Google document is perfect)
• It is something you update every month.
• It is something that you give to people reselling/redistributing your products (including consignment and charities).
• It is a legal statement that your product follows the rules that it is supposed to follow.

Ok, so we’ve got that much, what does it entail?

My favorite way to talk about the Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) or General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is to describe it like it is a story. It is a story of a product, what requirements it must follow and what exemptions it is allowed. It describes who created the product, and when and where the product was created. It notes who maintains the records (any testing reports and this document) as well as who may have done the testing on the product (if any). Each of these pieces always describe the item listed in the very first part of the seven part document.

Now for the part you are waiting for.

The 7 parts of the Certificate of Compliance

1. Describe the product(s) covered by this certification in enough detail to match the certificate to each product it covers and no others. (example: dresses with buttons vs dresses with no buttons; dresses vs shirts; dresses vs toys)
2. Identify each product safety rule that is applicable to the above product.
3. Identification of the U.S. importer or domestic manufacturer certifying compliance of the product. (full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email)
4. Contact information for the individual maintaining records of test results. (full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email)
5. Date and place where this product was manufactured. (month and year at least; City, ST, Country)
6. Provide the date(s) and place when the product was tested for compliance with the consumer product safety rule(s) cited above.
7. Identify any third party, CPSC-accepted laboratory on whose testing the certificate depends. (full name, mailing address, telephone number, and email)*

*If you are a Small Batch Manufacturer, registered with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), you will put your number here to show that you may have testing reports in your records from your suppliers on your components that require testing.

This document is updated every month at least. If there is a material change or testing change, a new document must be created to accommodate for that change.If you need assistance with the Certificate of Compliance for your clothing product or children's product, or would like someone to do it for you, we can do that!