General Certificate of Conformity (GCC): A Complete Guide

According to United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, beginning July 8, 2026, importers of most regulated consumer products will be required to electronically file (eFile) certificates of compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Requires domestic manufacturers and importers of certain general-use products (i.e., non-children’s products) that are subject to a consumer product safety rules, or a similar rule, ban, standard or regulation under any other CPSC-enforced statute, to certify, in a written General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) based on testing or a reasonable testing program, that their product(s) comply with applicable product safety rules.

So if you manufacture or import consumer products into the United States, you may be required to provide a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). This certificate demonstrates that a product complies with applicable U.S. consumer product safety regulations enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

What Is a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)?

A General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is a written document certifying that a general-use consumer product complies with all applicable U.S. consumer product safety regulations.

The certificate is required under Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) for products subject to one or more CPSC-enforced safety rules.

Unlike a product test report, a GCC is a declaration of compliance. It confirms that the product has been evaluated and meets the applicable regulatory requirements.

Who Needs a GCC?

A GCC is generally required for:

• Domestic manufacturers producing products for the U.S. market
• Importers bringing regulated consumer products into the United States
• The company responsible for importing the product into the U.S. is typically responsible for issuing the GCC if the product is manufactured overseas.

Which Products Require a GCC?

Products subject to a consumer product safety rule, or a similar rule, ban, standard, or regulation under any other CPSC-enforced statute, require testing and certification. 

Here are a few examples:

• Apparel
• Button cell or coin battery packages
• Bicycle Helmets
• Carpets and rugs (large)
• Carpets and rugs (small)
• Special packaging
• ATVs
• Paints
• Bunk Beds
• Lighters
• Mattresses
• Bikes
• Pool drain covers

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provides a complete list of products for which a GCC must be issued.

What Information Must a GCC Include?

A compliant GCC must include several key pieces of information.

1. Product Identification

The certificate should clearly identify the product, such as:

• Product name
• Model number
• SKU
• Product description

2. Applicable Safety Regulations

The GCC must list every applicable CPSC regulation or consumer product safety rule that applies to the product.

3. Manufacturer or Importer Information

Manufacture and import information include:

• Company name
• Mailing address
• Telephone number

4. Record Keeper

The certificate must identify the person responsible for maintaining test records, including:

• Name
• Address
• Email
• Telephone number

5. Manufacturing Information

Provide:

• Month and year of manufacture
• Factory location
• Country of manufacture

6. Testing Information

Include:

• Test date
• Testing location
• Laboratory information (if applicable)

7. Third-Party Laboratory Information

For most general-use products, third-party laboratory testing is not mandatory.

However, if third-party laboratory test results are used to support the GCC, the laboratory information must be included in the certificate.

How to Obtain a General Certificate of Conformity

Obtaining a GCC typically involves the following steps:

1. Determine which CPSC regulations apply to your product.
2. Conduct the required product testing or establish a reasonable testing program.
3. Review the test results to confirm compliance.
4. Prepare the GCC with all required information.
5. Maintain supporting documentation and test records.

For imported products, manufacturers should work closely with their U.S. importer to ensure all certification requirements are met before shipment.

To whom must You provide Your GCC?

Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) requires GCCs to be “furnished” to distributors and retailers. Additionally, a copy of the GCCs must also be provided immediately (within 24 hours) upon request by CPSC and Customs.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a GCC?

Failure to provide a required GCC may result in:

• Customs clearance delays
• Product detention at the border
• Requests for additional documentation
• Regulatory enforcement actions
• Potential product recalls or penalties

Beginning July 8, 2026, many regulated consumer products imported into the United States will also require electronic submission of certificate information through the new CPSC eFiling system.

A General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is an essential compliance document for many consumer products entering the U.S. market. It confirms that a product complies with applicable CPSC safety regulations and helps demonstrate compliance during customs clearance and regulatory inspections.

If you manufacture or import consumer products, it is important to identify the applicable regulations, complete the necessary testing, and prepare an accurate GCC before your products are shipped.

FAQS

1. Is a GCC required for all products?

No. You normally only need a GCC if you import or manufacture products listed on the CPSC website. For example, a GCC is usually not required when importing electronics, watches, jewelry, and a range of other products.

2. Is a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) required for children’s products?

You need to issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) when importing children’s products – not a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC).

The GCC format is similar to that of the Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). That said, the GCC is only applicable to certain products, while the CPC is mandatory for all children’s products imported and sold in the United States.

3. What’s the difference between a CPC and GCC?

The General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) is only required for certain non-children’s products, such as bicycle helmets, bunk beds, and mattresses. The GCC is not required for other products.

The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) is mandatory when importing all types of children’s products.

4. Who Issues the GCC?

The GCC is issued by the responsible manufacturer or importer.

It is not issued by the CPSC or by a testing laboratory.

Although a testing laboratory may perform the required testing, the manufacturer or importer remains legally responsible for the accuracy of the certificate.

5. Do I need to get the GCC approved by a third party?

You don’t need to file the GCC or get it approved by the CPSC or a third party. That said, the CPSC requires that your GCC should be provided as part of your product and shipping documentation.

Here are two ways you can provide the GCC:

Ÿ   Submit electronically (e.g. a PDF) if requested by the US customs or other agency

Ÿ   Print a copy and send it to your customs broker as part of your shipping documentation

The main requirement is that you have a GCC ready by the time the products arrive at the port of destination. However, the GCC can be requested by the CPSC or other agency months or even years after the products have been imported and sold in the US market.

6. Does Amazon require GCCs?

Amazon can reach out to request a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) if one is required by the CPCS for your product.

Keep in mind that Amazon, at least for the most part, doesn’t set its own compliance requirements – but aims to ensure that products sold on the marketplace comply with national product regulations and standards.

7. Does a GCC Require Product Testing?

Yes.

A GCC must be supported by evidence demonstrating that the product complies with applicable regulations.

Depending on the applicable safety rule, compliance may be based on:

Product testing

A reasonable testing program

Existing compliance data

Unlike children’s products, general-use products do not always require testing by a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory.

8. How much does it cost to get a GCC?

The General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) itself doesn’t cost you more than the paper it’s printed on. That said, lab testing can cost anything from a few hundred dollars and more.

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