- Regions >
- The United States >
- CPSC Outlines Process for Accreditation of >
CPSC Outlines Process for Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies for Certain Children's Products
by SSD Staff September 03, 2009
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a notice that provides the criteria and process for CPSC acceptance of accreditation of third-party conformity assessment bodies for testing pursuant to specific CPSC regulations relating to bicycle helmets, dive sticks and similar articles, rattles, bicycles and bunk beds. Generally speaking, the notice states, such third-party conformity assessment bodies are:
• third-party conformity assessment bodies that are not owned, managed or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler of a children's product to be tested by the third-party conformity assessment body for certification purposes;
• "firewalled" conformity assessment bodies (those that are owned, managed or controlled by a manufacturer or private labeler of a children's product to be tested by the third-party conformity assessment body for certification purposes and that seek accreditation under the additional statutory criteria for "firewalled" conformity assessment bodies); and
• third-party conformity assessment bodies owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by a government.
While these requirements are effective as of Sept. 2, the CPSC will not enforce them at least until Feb. 10, 2010. Comments on this notice, including the procedures and the accreditation approach in general, are due by Oct. 2. To submit electronic comments, visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal and follow the instructions for submitting comments.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act also directs the CPSC to publish a notice of requirements for accreditation of third-party conformity assessment bodies to assess conformity with "all other children's product safety rules." However, the CPSC states, whether a particular rule represents a "children's product safety rule" may be subject to interpretation, and the CPSC staff is continuing to evaluate which rules, regulations, standards or bans are "children's product safety rules." Once this determination has been made, the CPSC intends to issue additional notices of requirements for the specified rules.