A manufacturer or private labeler shall issue either a separate certificate for each children's product safety rule applicable to a product or a combined certificate that certifies compliance with all applicable children's product safety rules, in which case each such rule shall be specified.
The Commission may by rule prescribe reasonable testing programs for any product which is subject to a consumer product safety rule under this chapter, or a similar rule, regulation, standard, or ban under any other Act enforced by the Commission, and for which a certificate is required under subsection (a). Any test or testing program on the basis of which a certificate is issued under subsection (a) may, at the option of the person required to certify the product, be conducted by an independent third party qualified to perform such tests, unless the Commission, by rule, requires testing by an independent third party for a particular rule, regulation, standard, or ban, or for a particular class of products.
The Commission may by rule require the use and prescribe the form and content of labels which contain the following information (or that portion of it specified in the rule)-
Such labels, where practicable, may be required by the Commission to be permanently marked on or affixed to any such consumer product. The Commission may, in appropriate cases, permit information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection to be coded.
Not later than 10 months after August 14, 2008, the Commission shall by regulation establish requirements for the periodic audit of third party conformity assessment bodies as a condition for the continuing accreditation of such conformity assessment bodies under subsection (a)(3)(C).
Not later than 15 months after August 14, 2008, the Commission shall by regulation-
Not later than 60 days after August 12, 2011, the Commission shall seek public comment on opportunities to reduce the cost of third party testing requirements consistent with assuring compliance with any applicable consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation. The request for public comment shall include the following:
Following the public comment period described in subparagraph (A), but not later than 1 year after August 12, 2011, the Commission shall review the public comments and may prescribe new or revised third party testing regulations if it determines that such regulations will reduce third party testing costs consistent with assuring compliance with the applicable consumer product safety rules, bans, standards, and regulations.
If the Commission determines that it lacks authority to implement an opportunity for reducing the costs of third-party testing consistent with assuring compliance with the applicable consumer product safety rules, bans, standards, and regulations, it shall transmit a report to Congress reviewing those opportunities, along with any recommendations for any legislation to permit such implementation.
Subject to subparagraph (C), in implementing third party testing requirements under this section, the Commission shall take into consideration any economic, administrative, or other limits on the ability of small batch manufacturers to comply with such requirements and shall, after notice and a hearing, provide alternative testing requirements for covered products manufactured by small batch manufacturers in lieu of those required under subsection (a) or (b). Any such alternative requirements shall provide for reasonable methods to assure compliance with any applicable consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation. The Commission may allow such alternative testing requirements for small batch manufacturers with respect to a specific product or product class or with respect to a specific safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation, or portion thereof.
If the Commission determines that no alternative testing requirement is available or economically practicable, it shall exempt small batch manufacturers from third party testing requirements under subsections (a) and (b).
In lieu of or as part of any alternative testing requirements provided under clause (i), the Commission may allow certification of a product to an applicable consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation, or portion thereof, based on documentation that the product complies with another national or international governmental standard or safety requirement that the Commission determines is the same or more stringent than the consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation, or portion thereof. Any such certification shall only be allowed to the extent of the equivalency with a consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation and not to any other part of the consumer product safety rule, ban, standard, or regulation.
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), and except where the Commission determines that the manufacturer does not meet the definition of a small batch manufacturer, for any small batch manufacturer registered pursuant to subparagraph (B), the Commission may not require third party testing of a covered product by a third party conformity assessment body until the Commission has provided either an alternative testing requirement or an exemption in accordance with clause (i) or (ii), respectively.
Any small batch manufacturer that utilizes alternative requirements or an exemption under this paragraph shall register with the Commission prior to using such alternative requirements or exemptions pursuant to any guidelines issued by the Commission to carry out this requirement.
The Commission shall not provide or permit to continue in effect any alternative requirements or exemption from third party testing requirements under this paragraph where it determines, based on notice and a hearing, that full compliance with subsection (a) or (b) is reasonably necessary to protect public health or safety. The Commission shall not provide any alternative requirements or exemption for-
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect third party testing or any other requirements with respect to a subsequent manufacturer or other entity that uses components provided by one or more small batch manufacturers.
For purposes of this paragraph-
For purposes of determining the total gross revenue for all sales of all consumer products of a manufacturer under this subparagraph, such total gross revenue shall be considered to include all gross revenue from all sales of all consumer products of each entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such manufacturer. The Commission shall take steps to ensure that all relevant business affiliations are considered in determining whether or not a manufacturer meets this definition.
The third party testing requirements established under subsection (a) shall not apply to ordinary books or ordinary paper-based printed materials.
The term "ordinary book" means a book printed on paper or cardboard, printed with inks or toners, and bound and finished using a conventional method, and that is intended to be read or has educational value. Such term does not include books with inherent play value, books designed or intended for a child 3 years of age or younger, and does not include any toy or other article that is not a book that is sold or packaged with an ordinary book.
The term "ordinary paper-based printed materials" means materials printed on paper or cardboard, such as magazines, posters, greeting cards, and similar products, that are printed with inks or toners and bound and finished using a conventional method.
Such terms do not include books or printed materials that contain components that are printed on material other than paper or cardboard or contain nonpaper-based components such as metal or plastic parts or accessories that are not part of the binding and finishing materials used in a conventional method.
The third party testing requirements established under subsection (a) shall not apply to metal component parts of bicycles with respect to compliance with the lead content limits in place pursuant to section 1278a(b)(6) of this title.
The Commission may withdraw its accreditation or its acceptance of the accreditation of a third party conformity assessment body accredited under this section if the Commission finds, after notice and investigation, that-
In any proceeding to withdraw the accreditation of a conformity assessment body, the Commission-
The Commission may suspend the accreditation of a conformity assessment body if it fails to cooperate with the Commission in an investigation under this section.
In this section:
The term "children's product safety rule" means a consumer product safety rule under this chapter or similar rule, regulation, standard, or ban under any other Act enforced by the Commission, including a rule declaring a consumer product to be a banned hazardous product or substance.
The term "third party conformity assessment body" means a conformity assessment body that, except as provided in subparagraph (D), is not owned, managed, or controlled by the manufacturer or private labeler of a product assessed by such conformity assessment body.
Such term may include an entity that is owned or controlled in whole or in part by a government if-
A certifying organization (as defined in appendix A to section 1500.14(b)(8) of title 16, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation or ruling)) meets the requirements of subparagraph (A) with respect to the certification of art material and art products required under this section or by regulations prescribed under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 U.S.C. 1261 et seq.).
Upon request, the Commission may accredit a conformity assessment body that is owned, managed, or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler as a third party conformity assessment body if the Commission by order finds that-
Every certificate required under this section shall identify the manufacturer or private labeler issuing the certificate and any third party conformity assessment body on whose testing the certificate depends. The certificate shall include, at a minimum, the date and place of manufacture, the date and place where the product was tested, each party's name, full mailing address, telephone number, and contact information for the individual responsible for maintaining records of test results.
Every certificate required under this section shall be legible and all content required by this section shall be in the English language. A certificate may also contain the same content in any other language.
Every certificate required under this section shall accompany the applicable product or shipment of products covered by the same certificate and a copy of the certificate shall be furnished to each distributor or retailer of the product. Upon request, the manufacturer or private labeler issuing the certificate shall furnish a copy of the certificate to the Commission.
In consultation with the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Commission may, by rule, provide for the electronic filing of certificates under this section up to 24 hours before arrival of an imported product. Upon request, the manufacturer or private labeler issuing the certificate shall furnish a copy to the Commission and to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Compliance of any children's product with third party testing and certification or general conformity certification requirements under this section shall not be construed to exempt such children's product from any requirement that such product actually be in conformity with all applicable rules, regulation, standards, or ban under any Act enforced by the Commission.
No advertisement for a consumer product or label or packaging of such product may contain a reference to a consumer product safety rule or a voluntary consumer product safety standard unless such product conforms with the applicable safety requirements of such rule or standard.
1So in original. Such title refers to title 16, Code of Federal Regulations.
15 U.S.C. § 2063
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Federal Hazardous Substances Act, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(C), is Pub. L. 86-613, July 12, 1960, 74 Stat. 372, which is classified generally to chapter 30 (§1261 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1261 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2011-Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 112-28, §6, designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), redesignated former subpars. (A) and (B) as cls. (i) and (ii), respectively, of subpar. (A), and added subpar. (B).Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 112-28, §10(a), redesignated subsec. (d), relating to requirement for advertisements, as (i). Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 112-28, §2(a)(1), substituted "representative" for "random". Subsec. (d)(3) to (5). Pub. L. 112-28, §2(a)(2), added pars. (3) to (5).Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 112-28, §10(a), redesignated subsec. (d), relating to requirement for advertisements, as (i). 2008-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 110-314, §102(a)(1)(A), amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "Every manufacturer of a product which is subject to a consumer product safety standard under this chapter and which is distributed in commerce (and the private labeler of such product if it bears a private label) shall issue a certificate which shall certify that such product conforms to all applicable consumer product safety standards, and shall specify any standard which is applicable. Such certificate shall accompany the product or shall otherwise be furnished to any distributor or retailer to whom the product is delivered. Any certificate under this subsection shall be based on a test of each product or upon a reasonable testing program; shall state the name of the manufacturer or private labeler issuing the certificate; and shall include the date and place of manufacture."Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 110-314, §102(a)(2), which directed amendment of par. (2) of this section by adding pars. (2) and (3), was executed by adding pars. (2) and (3) to subsec. (a) of this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Former par. (2) redesignated (4). Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 110-314, §102(a)(3), substituted "required under paragraph (1), (2), or (3)" for "required by paragraph (1) of this subsection" and "requirement under paragraph (1), (2), or (3)" for "requirement under paragraph (1)". Pub. L. 110-314, §102(a)(2), which directed amendment of par. (2) of this section by redesignating par. (2) as (4), was executed to subsec. (a) of this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 110-314, §103(a), added par. (5). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110-314, §102(d), substituted "any product which is subject to a consumer product safety rule under this chapter, or a similar rule, regulation, standard, or ban under any other Act enforced by the Commission," for "consumer products which are subject to consumer product safety standards under this chapter" and ",unless the Commission, by rule, requires testing by an independent third party for a particular rule, regulation, standard, or ban, or for a particular class of products." for "or testing programs." Subsec. (c)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 110-314, §103(b), added par. (2) and redesignated former pars. (2) and (3) as (3) and (4), respectively. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110-314, §103(c), added subsec (d) relating to requirement for advertisements. Pub. L. 110-314, §102(b), added subsec. (d) relating to additional regulations for third party testing. Subsecs. (e) to (h). Pub. L. 110-314, §102(b), added subsecs. (e) to (h).
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
CHANGE OF NAME "Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection" substituted for "Commissioner of Customs" in two places in subsec. (g)(4) on authority of section 802(d)(2) of Pub. L. 114-125 set out as a note under section 211 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2008 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 110-314, title I, §102(a)(1)(B), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3022, provided that: "The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 14, 2008]."Amendment by section 103(c) of Pub. L. 110-314 effective on the date that is 60 days after Aug. 14, 2008, see section 239(a) of Pub. L. 110-314 set out as a note under section 2051 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATESection effective on the sixtieth day following Oct. 27, 1972, see section 34 of Pub. L. 92-573 set out as a note under section 2051 of this title.
CPSC CONSIDERATION OF EXISTING REQUIREMENTS Pub. L. 110-314, title I, §102(c), Aug. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 3027, provided that: "In establishing standards for accreditation of a third party conformity assessment body under section 14(a)(3) of the Consumer Product Safety Act [15 U.S.C. 2063(a)(3)], as added by subsection (a), the [Consumer Product Safety] Commission may consider standards and protocols for accreditation of such conformity assessment bodies by independent accreditation organizations that are in effect on the date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 14, 2008], but shall ensure that the protocols, standards, and requirements prescribed under such section 14(a)(3) incorporate, as the standard for accreditation, the most current scientific and technological standards and techniques available."
- Commission
- The term "Commission" means the Consumer Product Safety Commission, established by section 2053 of this title.
- State
- The term "State" means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island, Kingman Reef, Johnston Island, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
- commerce
- The term "commerce" means trade, traffic, commerce, or transportation-(A) between a place in a State and any place outside thereof, or(B) which affects trade, traffic, commerce, or transportation described in subparagraph (A).
- consumer product safety rule
- The term "consumer product safety rule" means a consumer products safety standard described in section 2056(a) of this title, or a rule under this chapter declaring a consumer product a banned hazardous product.
- manufactured
- The term "manufactured" means to manufacture, produce, or assemble.
- manufacturer
- The term "manufacturer" means any person who manufactures or imports a consumer product.
- private labeler
- The term "private labeler" means an owner of a brand or trademark on the label of a consumer product which bears a private label.
- retailer
- The term "retailer" means a person to whom a consumer product is delivered or sold for purposes of sale or distribution by such person to a consumer.
- risk of injury
- The term "risk of injury" means a risk of death, personal injury, or serious or frequent illness.