As an importer or domestic manufacturer, does your organization have processes in place to ensure the safety of US consumers in regards to products manufactured both domestically and abroad?

In August 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) signed into effect the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). This Act addresses safety issues concerning lead paint in products manufactured specifically for children, and the resell of recalled products. U.S. importers and domestic manufacturers are required to present a Certificate of Conformity to accompany each shipment into, or within, the U.S. in order to meet the requirements of this Act.

A Certificate of Conformity must have the following data elements:

• Identification of product
• The CPSC product safety regulation(s) to which the product is being certified
• Identification of the US importer or manufacturer certifying compliance of the product
• Contact information of the individual responsible for maintaining the records of the test results
• Date and location of where the product was manufactured
• Date and location of where the product was tested to comply with the CPSC product safety regulation(s)
• Identification of any third-party laboratory responsible for testing the product

The CPSC has also announced that electronic filing would be acceptable for providing the Certificate of Conformity to distributors and retailers. The benefits of electronic filing include the elimination of a paper trail, and the ability to directly view the certificate via an online portal.

A part of the Integration Point® Supply Chain Compliance web-based solution, Product Safety Compliance makes it easy for companies to file electronically. The software offers companies a way to store all related and required information in one centralized location, overcoming complications such as losing or misplacing valuable information.

With Integration Point Supply Chain Compliance, complying with the CPSIA is easy. U.S. importers obtain the required information electronically from various partners, as well as distribute certificates to distributors, retailers, CBP, and CPSC through a single web portal.

Using Integration Point Supply Chain Compliance, companies:

1. Solicit suppliers and testing facilities in one easy transaction, alleviating communication barriers such as language and time zones
2. Maintain and manage certificates in one central location
3. Retain supporting documents from testing facilities or suppliers with the document retention tool
4. Allow buyers, CPSC, and CBP to immediately view and inspect the Certificate of Conformity by logging in through a web-based portal

Not only does Integration Point Supply Chain Compliance ensure that organizations meet the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, but it also provides a web-based tool to solicit supplier information regarding the organizational requirements of Social & Environmental Responsibility (SER). This is important because importers should be concerned with the safety of products, and the conditions in which the products are manufactured.

Using Integration Point Supply Chain Compliance companies can easily create evaluations to assess suppliers on both SER and Product Safety, as well as maintain the information in a secure and central location.

For more information on Integration Point Supply Chain Compliance and how it can assist your company with product safety compliance, send us an email or complete our online request form.

For additional information on government product safety and import safety standards, please visit the following websites:

Consumer Product Safety Commission - www.cpsc.gov

US Department of Human Health & Services - www.importsafety.gov