The CPSC Pulls Accreditation from Chinese Testing Labs
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on Thursday the withdrawal of accreditation from four testing laboratories in China, a move aimed at ensuring the safety of American families.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Act, manufacturers and importers are required to certify that their products meet the safety standards set forth in the U.S. Before they can be sold, specifically children’s products must undergo testing at a CPSC-approved third-party lab.
CPSC Chairman Peter Feldman elaborated on the decision to revoke the accreditation of the following laboratories:
- Shenzhen GTT Test Technology Co., Ltd.
- Dongguan True Safety Testing Co., Ltd.
- Fujian Belton Testing Service Co., Ltd.
- Shenzhen HUAK Testing Technology Co., Ltd.
Feldman explained that the volume of commerce flowing through these laboratories raised concerns. He pointed out that when a lab depends on self-certification to claim independence, it’s crucial to recognize the potential fear workers might have of facing retaliation or worse in authoritarian regimes. “Inspection agencies that cannot demonstrate their independence can lead to questions about the validity of the certificates that importers must present,” he noted.
China has a significant presence in the field of CPSC-approved laboratories, accounting for 47% of all such labs worldwide. In contrast, only about 10% are based in the U.S., with the remainder located globally.
While Feldman and the CPSC maintain a strict stance against foreign labs that compromise the U.S. testing process, he did express some confidence in labs from allied Western nations. He mentioned the credibility that comes from institutions in countries like Italy, where whistleblower protections are stronger. “There’s an environment in which employees can report issues without fearing deportation,” he said, commenting on the differences between such countries and China.
Reflecting on past practices, Feldman suggested that the previous CPSC leadership had been too reliant on self-certification without sufficient verification—particularly concerning labs in authoritarian countries. Last year, the CPSC also began investigating the roles of Shein and Tem as distributors in the U.S. market.
Feldman stated, “There are real concerns regarding the quality and safety of low-cost products from China flooding the U.S. market.” He emphasized that while there is a framework of rules that everyone should know, numerous reputable U.S. companies are complying with the law and investing in legitimate inspections. His view is that enhancing enforcement acts as a means to level the playing field for these responsible domestic businesses.
Notably, he pointed out that while China represents 33% of imports regulated by the CPSC, it corresponds to over 75% of product safety violations. “This disparity underscores the severity of the challenges we face with China,” he remarked.
Feldman also credited President Trump for his tough stance against China and other foreign players that have posed threats to American security for many years.
