Which CPSC certificate do I need?
Pick your product type. We show the CPSC rules that likely apply, whether you need a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) or a Children's Product Certificate (CPC), and whether a CPSC-accepted lab has to test it. Free, no sign-up.
Likely requirements for water bead toys and kits
Certificate type
Children's Product Certificate (CPC)
Children's products need a CPC based on testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab.
Third-party testing
Required
Use a CPSC-accepted lab and enter it as type ITL with its 4-digit lab ID.
Rules that apply to every product in this category
- 16 CFR 1250.4Third-party testing for children's products
Requirements for Water Beads (Safety Standard for Toys)
- 16 CFR part 1250Third-party testing for children's products
Children’s toys (ASTM F963)
- 15 U.S.C. 1278aThird-party testing for children's products
Total lead content
- 16 CFR part 1307Third-party testing for children's products
Phthalates
Also applies if…
Intended for children under 3
- 16 CFR part 1501Third-party testing for children's products
Small parts
Notes for this category
16 CFR 1250.4 adds performance and labeling requirements for water bead toys and toys containing water beads (effective date 3/12/2026 per CPSC's eFiling workbook). It is in 16 CFR 1112.15(b)(32)(iv) but not yet on CPSC's third-party testing web page (dated Dec 5, 2024).
Other requirements (not certificate tests)
- Tracking label (CPSIA section 103) on product and packaging
Next: build the certificate and get your three Registry IDs
CertPrepy turns your lab report into a CPC, checks it against the Registry's rules, and gives your broker the Certifier ID, Product ID and Version ID.
Rule data last verified 2026-10-18 against CPSC's GCC rule list and third-party testing list and the eCFR (as of 2026-10-15). Pending review by a compliance consultant.