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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link

What is 16 CFR part 1250?

16 CFR Part 1250 is the consumer registration rule for durable infant or toddler products: it requires covered products to include a postage-paid registration card, bear permanent manufacturer/model/date marking, and obliges manufacturers to maintain registration records for direct recall contact. It works together with part 1130’s product list and is the reason every nursery product box contains that little card.
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The mechanicsWhy the system exists
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The mechanics

  • The card must be attached to the product, postage-paid, and request owner contact information plus the product model and date code.
  • Manufacturers keep registrations on file and use them to notify owners of recalls and safety fixes.
  • Online registration is permitted and encouraged alongside the physical card.

Why the system exists

Registration closes the last mile of recall execution: most recalls reach only a fraction of owners, and children’s products stay in use for years and pass between families. A registered owner gets a letter; an unregistered family keeps using the recalled crib. For sellers, the cards are also proof of a working safety-communication system.

Questions people ask

Is online registration enough instead of the card?

No: the physical card must be attached to the product. Online registration is an addition, not a replacement.

How long must I keep registrations?

Keep them current and usable for the recall life of the product — the practical standard is as long as the product may be in use, plus your recordkeeping period.

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