Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2/21

13 March 2013

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 218/2013

US : CPSC's Final Rule: Requirements Pertaining to Third Party Conformity Assessment Bodies

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published in the Federal Register (FR) of 12 March 2013 a final rule establishing requirements pertaining to third party conformity assessment bodies whose accreditations are accepted to test children's products in support of the certification required by the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA), as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Relevant FR notice is available at:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-12/pdf/2013-04649.pdf.

DETAILS

2.The trade was informed via Commercial Information Circular No. 376/2012 of 25 May 2012 of CPSC's proposed rule on the matter. CPSC is now issuing the final rule which establishes the general requirements concerning third party conformity assessment bodies (such as the requirements and procedures for CPSC acceptance of the accreditation of a third party conformity assessment body) and addresses adverse actions against CPSC-accepted third party conformity assessment bodies. The final rule also amends the audit requirements for third party conformity assessment bodies and CPSC's regulation on inspections.

3.The final rule is effective on 10 June 2013 and applies to products manufactured on or after that date.

ENQUIRIES

4.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Cindy LAU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry