FAQ on US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

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General:
Q: What is the product scope under the CPSIA?
A: It applies to products that are subject to a consumer product safety rule under the Consumer Product Safety Act or similar rule, ban, standard, or regulation under any other Act enforced by the CPSC. The CPSC currently has jurisdiction over 7 Acts: Federal Hazardous Substances Act, Consumer Product Safety Act, Poison Prevention Packaging Act, Refrigerator Safety Act, Flammable Fabrics Act, Children’s Gasoline Burn Prevention Act, and Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Q: Does the CPSIA preempt existing state regulations?
A: Yes and no. State requirements will only be preempted if the CPSIA has already addressed the hazard in question. For example, the new lead and phthalate limits preempt the Washington State House Bill 2647 with the exception of the cadmium requirement which is not covered by CPSIA. The law does not preempt state labeling laws enacted prior to August 31, 2003, and California Proposition is listed within the Act as an example of a state labeling law not preempted.

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Lead Content Testing:
Q: Do I need to comply with the lead requirements under the CPSIA now?
A: There are two lead requirements under the CPSIA; lead in paint and lead in substrate. The lead in paint requirement (commonly known as 16 CFR 1303) has been in place long before the enactment of the CPSIA and the current limit is 600ppm, but will be further reduced to 90ppm on August 14, 2009. Lead in substrate is a new requirement and will be enacted on February 10, 2009. The initial limit for lead in substrate is 600ppm which will be further reduced to 300ppm on August 14, 2009. Both Feb 10, 2009 and Aug 14, 2009 are “on the shelves” dates therefore non-complying products still on the shelves after the respective dates may be pulled off.
Q: What kind of products does the 90ppm lead in paint limit apply to?
A: The lead limit in paint applies to paint and other similar surface coatings in toys and children’s products, as well as certain furniture articles for consumer use that bear lead-containing paint. The lead in substrate requirement does not apply to furniture articles though.

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Q: How about video game hardware? Do I need to comply with the lead limits under the CPSIA?
A: To the extent that video game hardware is intended primarily for children 12 years and younger, it would be subject to the lead limits. The CPSC is however gathering comments as to whether it will be technologically feasible for certain electronic devices to meet the new limits, and may provide further guidance.
Q: Are small areas that contain paint exempt from lead in paint testing?
A: The new law does not exempt small painted areas from the applicable lead limits. It does allow the CPSC to rely on X-Ray fluorescence technology (XRF) or other alternative methods to screen. However, chemical analysis will be required for products manufactured after December 21, 2008.
Q: Is composite testing allowed?
A: Combining different paints or substrates from one or more samples to reduce the number of tests run may fail to detect excessive levels of lead in any particular colorant or substrate due to dilution factor therefore is unacceptable.
Q: Is wet paint allowed?
A: The CPSC has advised that samples that represent the final product shall be submitted for testing, therefore wet paint is not allowed, unless the product itself is a can of paint that is sold for consumer use.

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Tracking Label:
Q: Is the tracking label required on both the product and packaging? What if the product is too small? Can I label it only on the packaging instead?
A: A permanent marking on product and packaging is required. The CPSC has yet to provide information on alternatives.
Q: Are there any guidelines as to size, location and format of the tracking label?
A: The CPSC may issue implementing guidance on these issues. It should be noted, however, that the requirement to provide tracking information is mandatory regardless of whether the CPSC provides such guidance. The content of the tracking label shall enable the ultimate purchaser to ascertain the manufacturer or private labeler, the location and date of production of the product and cohort information (i.e. batch, run number, or other identifying characteristic).

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Q: Could hangtags and adhesive labels be used as tracking labels for textile items?
A: The law requires that the markings must be permanent. Hangtags and adhesive labels are not permanent.
Q: Are tracking labels required for children’s apparel?
A: In general, yes, since it is considered a children’s product. Tracking labels are required for all children’s products manufactured after August 14, 2009.

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Phthalate Content Testing:
Q: What is the product scope under the phthalate prohibition and does it apply to inaccessible parts?
A: The prohibition on phthalates applies to all parts of a toy or child care article as defined in section 108 of the CPSIA. There is no exception or exemption for the testing of inaccessibile components for phthalates.
Q: Does the phthalate prohibition only apply to plastic parts or plasticized materials?
A: The prohibition on phthalates applies to all parts of a toy or child care article as defined in section 108 of the CPSIA. There is no indication that only plasticized materials shall be tested. The CPSC may provide further guidance regarding the scope of the phthalate prohibition during the public meeting in December 2008.
Q: What is the test method for phthalate content analysis?
A: No test method has been defined by the CPSC yet. The CPSC may provide further guidance regarding the test method of the phthalate prohibition during the public meeting in December 2008. In general, test method ASTM D3421, which is the official test method for the California State Assembly Bill 1108 phthalate requirement is found to be followed by the industry.
Certification:
Q: Is the General Certification of Conformity (GCC) requirement limited to children’s products?
A: No. All products subject to a consumer product safety rule or one of the similar standards or rules must be certified.

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Q: Who is responsible for issuing the certification as required under Section 14(a)?
A: The CPSC has recently issued a rule limiting the responsibility of certification to only U.S. importers and U.S. domestic manufacturers. The statute requires that all manufacturers, importers and private labelers comply with the amended and expanded Section 14 CPSA certification requirements. This ruling by CPSC reduces the responsible parties to only U.S. importers and domestic manufacturers, and relieves the foreign manufacturer of the responsibility.
Q: Must each product be “accompanied” by a certificate?
A: The certificate may accompany either the product or a shipment of products covered by the same certificate. Electronic certificates can also be used so long the CPSC staff can access the certificate electronically or via a World Wide Web URL and it contains all of the information required by Section 102 of the CPSIA.
Q: Can a test laboratory certify for a manufacturer or importer?
A: No. Either the domestic manufacturer, importer or private labeler must certify.

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概括性问题
问：美国《消费品安全改进法》(CPSIA)涉及哪些产品？
答：该法适用于消费品安全法涵盖的消费品安全条例或其它由美国消费品委员会(CPSC)实施的类似法规、禁令、标准或条例所管制的产品。CPSC目前拥有7项法案的执行权，包括：联邦有害物质法、消费品安全法、防毒包装法、冰箱安全法、易燃织物法、预防儿童汽油烧伤法，以及弗吉尼亚州葛拉姆游泳池与水疗中心安全法。

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问：CPSIA是否优先于现行的州法规？
答：视情况而定。针对某种危害性，只有当CPSIA也有规定时，CPSIA才优先于州法规。例如，新的铅含量和邻苯二甲酸盐含量要求优先于华盛顿州议会第2647号法案的相关规定，但镉限值除外，因为CPSIA没有相关规定。另外，CPSIA对2003年8月31日前生效的州标签法也无优先执行权，并且CPSIA中还例举了加州提案，作为对州标签法无优先权的范例。
铅含量测试
问：现在我需要符合CPSIA的铅含量要求吗？
答：CPSIA中有两项关于铅含量的要求，即涂料中的铅和底材中的铅。涂料中铅含量的要求(通常称16 CFR 1303)早在CPSIA生效前已实施很久，目前的限值是0.06% (600ppm)，但从2009年8月14日起将进一步降至0.009% (90ppm)。底材中铅含量限值是一项新要求，将于2009年2月10日生效，最初限值为0.06% (600ppm)，2009年8月14日起将进一步降至0.03% (300ppm)。2009年2月10日和2009年8月14日均针对“架上产品”，也就是说，这两个日期后仍然在货架上销售的不符合限值的产品必须撤架，不得销售。
问：涂料中铅含量限值0.009%适用于哪些产品？
答：涂料中铅含量限值适用于玩具和儿童产品的涂料和其它类似的表面涂层，以及某些带含铅涂料的消费用家具物品。但底材中铅含量限值不适用于家具物品。
问：计算机游戏硬件呢？也需要达到CPSIA的铅含量限值吗？
答：鉴于计算机游戏硬件主要为12岁及以下儿童设计使用，因此需要符合铅含量限值。不过，CPSC目前正在征询意见，了解某些电子设备达到新限值在技术上是否可行，并可能提供进一步指引。

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问：小面积带有涂料的部位是否可以不进行涂料中铅含量测试？
答：新法没有豁免小面积带涂料部位的铅含量测试，但允许CPSC采用X射线荧光技术(XRF)或其它替代方法进行筛查。不过，对于2008年12月21日后生产的产品要求用化学分析的方法。
问：是否允许混合测试？
答：为减少测试次数而将一个或几个样本的不同涂料或底材混合在一起的做法，可能导致无法测试出单一着色剂或底材中铅含量超标的程度，因为其中的铅已经被稀释。因此，消费品安全委员会不接受混合测试法。
问：是否允许用湿涂料？
答：CPSC要求送交测试的样品应代表最终产品，所以不允许湿涂料，除非产品本身为出售给消费者使用的罐装涂料。