United States · General Products

CPSC Section 15 Reporting in the United States

A practical guide to CPSC Section 15 Reporting for general products sold in the United States: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Brands and importers placing general consumer products on the market in the United States; Online sellers shipping consumer goods into the United States

Authority

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Legal basis

15 U.S.C. section 2064

Local representative

A local responsible operator is required

Timeline

Before sale

Cost

Varies by product and testing scope

If you do not comply

Withdrawal, fines, and liability

Who needs this

Brands and importers placing general consumer products on the market in the United States
Online sellers shipping consumer goods into the United States

Documents you need

Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity
Labels and instructions in the local language

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Risk assessment and technical file
Test reports to applicable standards
Declaration of conformity
Labels and instructions in the local language

How to comply

Identify the applicable product safety rules
Assess risks and test where required
Prepare the declaration and technical file
Label and instruct consumers

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: CPSC Section 15 Reporting — United States
Product category: General Products
Authority: Consumer Product Safety Commission
Legal basis: 15 U.S.C. section 2064

Documents we already have:
  1. Risk assessment and technical file
  2. Test reports to applicable standards
  3. Declaration of conformity
  4. Labels and instructions in the local language

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under CPSC Section 15 Reporting in the United States?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale.

Varies by product and testing scope.

Common rejection reasons

No risk assessment
Test report missing
Instructions not in the local language
Traceability missing

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.

Official sources

FAQ

Who needs CPSC Section 15 Reporting in the United States?

Brands and importers placing general consumer products on the market in the United States. Online sellers shipping consumer goods into the United States. The importer of record normally holds the evidence.

What documents do I need for CPSC Section 15 Reporting?

Risk assessment and technical file; Test reports to applicable standards; Declaration of conformity; and labels and instructions in the local language.

What is the first step for CPSC Section 15 Reporting?

Identify the applicable product safety rules, then assess risks and test where required. Before sale.

How long does CPSC Section 15 Reporting take?

Before sale.

How much does CPSC Section 15 Reporting cost?

Varies by product and testing scope.

What happens if I sell without it?

Withdrawal, fines, and liability.

Who regulates CPSC Section 15 Reporting in the United States?

Consumer Product Safety Commission.