As a brand owner in the durable infant and toddler product space, your commitment to safety is the foundation of your customer's trust. A critical component of that commitment is complying with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) mandatory product registration rule. This regulation is designed to ensure you can directly and swiftly contact consumers in the event of a safety issue or recall.
Navigating these requirements is essential for protecting your customers and your brand. Here’s what you need to know.
Which Products Require Registration?
This rule applies to a broad category of "durable" products intended for children under five. This includes most key items in a nursery or home, such as:
Full-size and non-full-size cribs
Toddler beds, bassinets, and cradles
High chairs, booster seats, and hook-on chairs
Strollers and infant carriers (including slings)
Play yards and stationary activity centers
Infant bath tubs and bath seats
Gates, enclosures, and bed rails
It's crucial to review the official CPSC list to confirm which of your products fall under this mandate.
Mastering the Product Registration Form: A Detailed Compliance Guide
The physical registration card is the cornerstone of this regulation. It’s a direct line to your customer that must meet specific, non-negotiable criteria as outlined in 16 CFR Part 1130.
The following is an example of a registration card:
1. Physical Card and Placement
Mandatory Inclusion: You must provide a physical registration card with every durable infant or toddler product you sell. An online registration system is also required, but it supplements, not replaces, the physical card.
Conspicuous Placement: The card must be attached to the surface of the product where the consumer will unavoidably notice and handle it after purchase. It cannot be loose in the box or hidden within the instruction manual.
2. Card Structure and Dimensions
Format: The card must be a two-part, perforated form that allows the consumer to keep one half and mail the other.
Postage: The portion that the consumer mails back to you must be postage-paid.
Dimensions: Each of the two perforated portions must be at least 3.5 inches high, 5 inches wide, and 0.007 inches thick.
3. Required Text, Font, and Language
Purpose Statement: The top front portion of the card must contain this exact statement: "PRODUCT REGISTRATION FOR SAFETY ALERT OR RECALL ONLY. We will use the information provided on this card to contact you only if there is a safety alert or recall for this product. We will not sell, rent, or share your personal information."
Font: The text must be in bold, black font. The title of the purpose statement must be in all capitals and at least 12-point font, while the general text must be at least 10-point font.
Language: All information must be in English.
4. Layout and Information Breakdown
Front (Mail-in Portion): Must be pre-addressed with your company's name and U.S. mailing address and have postage paid (e.g., a business reply mail permit).
Back (Mail-in Portion): Must have clearly marked blocks (5 mm x 7 mm) for the consumer to provide their Name, Address, Phone Number, and Email. It must also repeat your product's Model Name/Number and Date of Manufacture.
Back (Consumer-Kept Portion): Must list your company's name, U.S. address, website, and phone number. Crucially, it must also clearly display the product's pre-printed Model Name, Model Number, and Date of Manufacture in a rectangular box.
Furthermore, you are legally required to maintain the registration data you collect for no less than six years from the product's manufacture date, ensuring you can act on safety concerns throughout a reasonable product lifecycle.
Online and Email Registration Requirements
In addition to the physical card, you must provide a way for consumers to register online. This is typically a dedicated page on your website that is easy for a consumer to find. This electronic method must collect the same information as the mail-in card and is a required supplement, not a replacement, for the physical card.
Preparing for a Product Recall
Product registration is your most valuable tool for executing a fast and effective recall. A well-maintained database allows you to notify customers directly, manage potential risks, and demonstrate your brand’s commitment to accountability. To understand the full scope of your responsibilities, the CPSC provides detailed guidance on how to conduct a product recall. Familiarizing yourself with these steps is a proactive measure every brand owner should take.
View the CPSC's Business Guide for Recalls Here
Streamline Registration Compliance with Dyrect
Complying with these CPSC requirements comes with tremendous logistical challenges—from designing and ordering compliant registration cards to safely storing consumer data for many years.
Dyrect Product Registration provides an end-to-end solution designed with modern brands in mind.
Dyrect allows you to comply with the law and improve the experience for your customers by enabling you to:
Create and Deploy Compliant Registration Cards: You can design and order physical, postage-paid registration cards that can be mailed to your customers, and meet all CPSC requirements.
Utilize QR Code Technology: Each one of these physical cards can include a unique QR code for each of your customers. This QR code would allow your customer to register online, and, if they were not using a computer, they can register with their smart phone and have nearly immediate online registration, resulting in higher registration rates.
Seamless integration into your sales channels: Dyrect provides both retail solutions and a direct connection into Shopify and numerous other D2C platforms. This will keep your registration data aligned from every sales channel of your entire business.
With Dyrect, you can transform a complex regulatory dilemma into a streamlined, compliant process that protects your customers and enhances the strength of your brand.
