The Toy Industry Association (TIA) has announced that it is offering an electronic certification system for toys as a means of complying with the General Conformity Certification requirements under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). This system would serve as an alternative to the use of paper certificates.

The TIA's Toy Safety Certification Program^SM (TSCP^SM) will enable any combination of toy manufacturers, importers and private labelers to certify toys to the requirements of CPSIA Section 102. An electronic certificate would be created electronically on the TSCP^SM website based upon information furnished by manufacturers, importers and private labelers. The TSCP^SM website address, which will include a unique code for easy but secure access to the electronic certificate, could then be stamped on shipping cartons. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff have stated that the website address and unique identifier will satisfy the requirement that a certificate "accompany" shipments or be "furnished" to distributors, retailers and the CPSC as long as the electronic certificate contains all of the required information and as long as the CPSC has reasonable electronic access to the certificate.

Under the CPSIA, General Conformity Certification is required as of November 12, 2008, for all consumer products – not only toys and children's products -- manufactured on or after that date which are subject to an existing consumer product safety rule, standard or ban. It is important to note, however, that the electronic certification system being offered through the TIA is for toys only. It is available to both TIA members and non-members alike, with members paying a reduced fee.

The TIA will provide an overview of this electronic certification system during its webinar about the CPSIA and the TSCP^SM planned for Friday, November 7, 2008 at 1 p.m. EDT. Link to TIA webinar registration.

Toy Industry Association (TIA) Links:

Press release about TIA's launch of electronic certification system.

Press release about TIA's launch of official website for TSCP^SM.

TSCP^SM official website.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Links:

CPSC sample GCC certificate, instructions and FAQ.

CPSC web page with latest information regarding CPSIA.

As a CPSC accredited lab, STR is poised to assist our clients in complying with the new requirements and standards under the CPSIA and the TIA's TSCP^SM. Our hazard prevention program for toys includes comprehensive design evaluation, safety testing, audit, inspection as well as responsible sourcing services. For more information, contact us at info@STRQuality.com.

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