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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link
CPC for child car seats and boosters
Which rules apply to child car seats and boosters
- Car seats and boosters are primarily regulated under FMVSS 213 (NHTSA). They are also children’s products for CPSIA chemistry and tracking when sold for children.
- CPSIA section 101 total lead content in accessible substrate materials.
- 16 CFR part 1303 lead in paint and surface coatings where painted or coated.
- CPSIA section 103 tracking labels: manufacturer, location, and date of manufacture on product and packaging.
The testing and certification path
FMVSS 213 crash performance is the core file. Add CPSIA lead/phthalate and tracking-label coverage for marketplace and import documentation.
Book testing at a laboratory that is CPSC-accepted for each rule, issue the CPC in your own name citing the rules your report supports, and keep the certificate with its test report for at least five years. Marketplaces ask for the pair, not the certificate alone.
Questions people ask
Does a CPC replace FMVSS 213 certification?
No. FMVSS 213 is the vehicle-safety requirement. The CPC addresses CPSIA children’s-product certification — sellers usually need both concepts covered in the file.
Do aftermarket covers need testing?
Covers sold for use with car seats can affect fit and flammability — treat them as their own children’s products.
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