May 20, 2010 (CPSC)

The CPSC recently issued two proposed rules to clarify the requirements for component parts testing and product certification testing and labeling. 

Under the proposed rule for testing component parts of consumer products, a manufacturer or importer may rely on supplier tests and certifications provided that the components can be traced throughout the entire supply chain.  Manufacturers are still responsible for assuring that supplied component parts or materials are not likely to be substituted or contaminated during production.

The proposed testing and labeling rule outlines the basic principles for what constitutes a reasonable testing program for non-children’s products and also establishes the testing requirements for manufacturers of children’s products.  In order to provide manufacturers with greater flexibility, the proposed rule outlines the most basic requirements for a reasonable testing program while still maintaining sufficient flexibility for varying types of testing programs.  In addition, the rule allows manufacturers to label products as compliant with CPSC safety requirements.

The deadline to submit comments is August 3, 2010.

Component Part Testing Draft

Product Certification Testing and Labeling Draft