Compliance for importing children's and baby products intended for the American market

Starting July 8, 2026, the importation of children's products into America is subject to a series of new mandatory compliance regulations and procedures. The regulations are issued and monitored by the CPSC - Consumer Product Safety Commission.
 

List of Children's Products Subject to the New Compliance Regulations for Importing to the American Market

This category includes all products designed or primarily intended for children 12 years or younger, including clothing, toys, cribs, strollers, sleep products, and children's furniture.

• Toys
• Children's and Baby Clothing
• Children's Furniture
• Baby Swings
• Baby Changing Products
• Baby Tubs and Bathtubs
• Children's Bicycles
• Children's Bunk Beds
• Safety Gates and Enclosures for Children
• Prams and Strollers
• Bicycle Helmets
• Pacifiers
• Crib Mattresses
• Cribs and Travel Beds
• Non-Standard Size Cribs
• Standard Size Cribs
• Toys (ASTM F963)
• Electrical Toys or Articles
• Baby Jumpers
• Baby Sleep Products
• Infant Support Cushions
• Side Beds
• Toddler Beds
• Mattresses and Covers
• Mattresses and Mattress Sets
• Nursing Pillows
• Play Balls
• Pants and Sleepwear for Children (sizes 0-6X)
• Pants and Sleepwear for Children (sizes 7-14)
• Small Parts
• Play Yards
• Portable Bed Rails
• Folding Chairs and Stools for Children
• Portable High Chairs
• Baby Seats
• High Chairs
• Baby Slings
• Soft Baby and Child Carriers
• Baby Walkers

Step-by-Step Compliance for the American Market

The standard path to compliance involves identifying applicable tests, conducting analyses in an accredited laboratory, applying tracking labels, and issuing the CPC (Children's Product Certificate). To comply, manufacturers of children's products intended for the American market must:

• Create a business account with the Consumer Product Safety Commission;
• Register the business in the account;
• In the same account, register the products to be imported into the U.S., specifying the American reference standard to which the products are subject, as well as any exemption codes if applicable;
• Certify the products with a third-party certifier accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission;
• Upload copies and references of the certification to the business account.

Of course, the certification must be done according to American regulations and not European ones.
 

U.S. Reference Standards

The compliance of children's products is primarily governed by the CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), which imposes strict limits on toxic substances (such as lead and phthalates) and rigorous standards on the mechanical safety of toys.

All U.S. reference standards are contained in the Title 16 of the CFR, Code of Federal Regulation, which regulates "Commercial Practices". In addition to products intended for children and babies, there are other product categories that, starting July 8, will be subject to the new compliance obligations established for the American market. In total, there are 600 product categories, while the reference standards dictating compliance requirements for the United States are 165.
 

Certification Laboratories Accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Laboratory tests on children's products intended for the American market must necessarily be conducted with certification institutes accredited and recognized by the CPSC. As of today, there are 702 accredited certification laboratories worldwide, including about 40 laboratories in Italy. Each laboratory specializes only in certain product categories and specific compliance standards.