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Last reviewed: September 2026 · Copy link

CPSIA tracking label requirements

CPSIA Section 103 requires children’s products and their packaging to carry permanent tracking information that identifies the manufacturer or private labeler, the location and date of production, and batch or run information (such as a lot or serial number). The marking must be permanent on the product where practicable. Every CPC for the product cites this rule, and your certificate generator includes it in the citations.
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What the tracking label must containWhy it matters more than sellers think

What the tracking label must contain

  • Manufacturer or private labeler identity.
  • Location and date of production (as specific as practicable, typically month and year).
  • Batch or run number, or another permanent identifying marker, so a problematic lot can be traced.
  • The marking must survive normal use: printed on the product, molded in, stitched in, or on durable packaging where on-product marking is not practicable.

Why it matters more than sellers think

Tracking labels are what make recalls targeted instead of catastrophic: with batch marking, a recall covers one production run, not your entire catalog. Marketplaces and retailers increasingly photograph tracking labels during audits, and a product without one is treated as non-compliant even if it passed every test.

Questions people ask

Do tracking labels apply to handmade products?

Yes, for children’s products. Small makers satisfy it with practical markings such as a tag with maker name, city, and month/year made. The intent is traceability, not industrial printing.

Is the tracking label the same as the CPC?

No: the tracking label is physical information on the product; the CPC is a document citing the rules. A complete compliance setup has both, and the rules citation appears on the certificate.

Where do I put the tracking mark on small items?

On the packaging when the product itself is too small, and on any removable packaging that stays with the consumer. Check the CPSC guidance for your product type.

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