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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link
General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)
When a GCC is required
A GCC is required for consumer products imported or distributed in the US that are subject to one or more CPSC rules, bans, or standards, other than the children’s product rules. Examples include bicycles and bicycle helmets, lawnmowers, garage door openers, dangerous substances in household products, and general wearing apparel subject to flammability standards. If your product is marketed primarily to children 12 or under, you need a CPC instead.
How a GCC differs from a CPC
- Testing basis: children’s products require third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab; many GCC products can rely on a reasonable testing program with periodic testing.
- Product scope: CPC covers children’s products; GCC covers the rest of the regulated catalog.
- Both are issued by the importer or domestic manufacturer and must be kept for at least five years.
Creating a GCC
The GCC must list the product, each applicable rule, the certifying party, contact information, manufacture date and place, and the testing details supporting certification. The same structure as a CPC, which is why the generator on this site produces both document types from the same data: enter your product once, export the certificate your product line needs.
Questions people ask
Does every product need a GCC?
No. A GCC is only required when the product is subject to at least one CPSC rule, ban, or standard. Uncregulated products need no certificate, though documenting safety is still good practice.
Do I need a lab for a GCC?
It depends on the rule. Some GCC products require third-party testing, while others can be certified based on a reasonable testing program. Check the specific rule that applies to your product category.
Can one GCC cover multiple products?
Yes, if the products are identical in all relevant respects. Variants with different materials generally need their own certification.
Is a GCC filed with the government?
Like the CPC, it is kept on file by the issuer and provided on request (and to Customs for imports). Under the CPSC eFiling rules, covered certificates are progressively moving into electronic filing at import.
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