Home / What is a CPSC-accepted laboratory?

Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link

What is a CPSC-accepted laboratory?

A CPSC-accepted laboratory is a testing facility that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has formally accepted to test children’s products against specific rules. Acceptance is granted per lab, per rule set, after the lab proves competence. Children’s product testing only counts toward a CPC when the lab is CPSC-accepted for those rules, which is why checking the acceptance list before paying is essential.

How to verify a lab’s acceptance

  • The CPSC publishes the list of accepted laboratories on its website, searchable by rule and country.
  • Ask the lab to state its acceptance scope in writing for the exact rules in your test plan.
  • Beware labs that claim CPSC accreditation generally: acceptance is rule-specific.

What acceptance does and does not mean

Acceptance means the lab is qualified to test: it does not certify your product (you do) and it does not guarantee a passing result. A failing result from an accepted lab is valid data: fix the product and re-test rather than shopping for a lab that will pass it.

Questions people ask

Do all children’s product tests need an accepted lab?

Third-party testing for children’s product certification requires it. Some component or development testing can happen anywhere, but certification testing must be at an accepted lab.

Are Chinese labs CPSC-accepted?

Yes: many major labs operate CPSC-accepted facilities in China and elsewhere. Acceptance is per facility and per rule scope, so confirm with the lab.

What happens if I test at a non-accepted lab?

The testing does not satisfy the certification requirement, and marketplaces will typically reject the document. You would need to re-test at an accepted lab.

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