CPSC Becomes Enforcement Authority for Imitation Firearms

June 13, 2023 | The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) will assume authority over regulating the marking of toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms, transferring it from the Department of Commerce. The comment period for the direct final rule for this transfer of authority was completed on June 12, and the transfer will take effect June 26 unless CPSC receives one or more “significant adverse comments.”

While the requirements from the prior 15 CFR 272 regulation are not changing, once the transfer takes effect, manufacturers or importers of imitation firearms that are not classified as children's products will need to provide General Conformity Certifications (GCCs) based on reasonable testing programs to demonstrate compliance with the 16 CFR 1272 requirements. This change does not affect the certification requirement for toy firearm markings under the CPSC's mandatory 16 CFR 1250 standard since these are already incorporated into the ASTM F963 safety standard. To prevent shipment delays and potential violations, companies are recommended to prioritize testing and certification as part of their compliance programs to meet CPSC standards.

Generally speaking, all companies that produce toy, look-alike, and imitation firearms should carefully review products to make sure they comply with applicable requirements in the event that this area receives extra attention from the CPSC in the coming months.

Members may contact Jos Huxley, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association, with any questions.