Join the Canadian Apparel Federation and US product safety expert Neal S. Cohen for an overview and discussion of US product safety requirements and procedures enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  

There are a number of product safety requirements that apply to apparel sold in the United States.

These safety standards and product certification are relevant to any Canadian firm exporting apparel to the US, and particularly important for exporters of children’s apparel.

The CPSC enforces regulations for general wearing apparel, children’s products (including children’s apparel) and specific products such as infants’ sleepwear.  Many of these standards are similar to what exists in Canada, but they are not identical. 

In addition, the US requires that manufacturers certify compliance with applicable regulations. The certification process is itself changing in 2026; the CPSC will require all importers of consumer products subject to a mandatory safety standard to electronically file the data needed to demonstrate that their product is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations, effective July 8, 2026.

The U.S. de minimis exemption officially ended on August 29, 2025.  Products imported into the US are now subject to tariffs (unless they are CUSMA compliant) and formal customs entries.   U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) also requires that all regulatory requirements of partner government agencies (such as CPSC) must be met for goods to be granted admission.

The webinar will be especially instructive for smaller exporters, especially producers of children’s products.

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