The intent of this information is to provide a better understanding of the provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA) to our members and affiliates.  The information found on this website should not be construed as legal advice and may not be considered as comprehensive or up to date at a given point in time.

CPSIA stands for the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

The CPSIA imposes testing and documentation requirements, and sets acceptable levels for several substances on products intended for use by children. Its requirements typically apply to manufacturers of apparel, shoes, personal care products, accessories and jewelry, home furnishings, bedding, toys, electronics and video games, books, school supplies, educational materials and science kits. 

New CPSIA requirements became effective on January 1, 2012.

As of this date, screen printers and embroiderers applying either inks or metallic threads to items are required to permanently mark all garments with required information or appropriate tracking labels when the garments are intended for use by children.  There are a couple of methods that can be used to permanently mark garments, but the main issue for screen printers and embroiderers is that the method must be permanent and must have the all required information or Unique Job Identification Number (UJI#) and a link to a website where the UJI# can be used to access all of the required information.  Some violations can result in fines and jail time.


Tracking Labels or Permanent, Distinguishing Markings are required on children's products.

The requirement calls for permanent “distinguishing marks” on the product and the packaging, to allow the consumer to be able to, through some reasonable means of communication determine, with some specificity, that the product is compliant with CPSIA. 

Specific tracking requirements for screen printers and embroiderers:

The garment decorator is responsible for identifying all non-exempt products with the required "cohort" information or a unique tracking identification number and a web address and phone number where the required "cohort" information can be easily accessed.

The following is the "cohort" information that must be stored & accessible per CPSIA:

      1. Identification of a lot or batch number,

      2. Identification of the decorator,

      3. Date and location where the product was decorated,

      4. Description of the product,

      5. Description of the decoration,

      6. Applicable CPSC rule or ban,

      7. The General Conformity Certifications (GCC) of all base color inks or metallic threads used in the design.



Try Entering 1255443818 in our Product Tracking Search Service to see an example of a CPSIA compliant GCC.