Green Circle Speaks Cross-Border]-Interpretation of U.S. Bicycle Helmet Commodity Regulations

I. Background

Under U.S. federal regulations and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act, merchants are required to ensure that helmets exported to the U.S. meet regulatory requirements.

II. Policy

Exporters need to be aware of and comply with U.S. bicycle helmet regulations to ensure that their products are compliant in the U.S. market.

III. Compliance guidelines
A bicycle helmet is any device marketed, or implied by marketing or promotion, to protect the head of a cyclist from injury while cycling. It is mainly divided into :

• Regular Bicycle Helmet. Bicycle helmets designed for use by people over 12 years of age.
• Children's Bicycle Helmet. Bicycle helmets designed for children 12 years of age or younger.
  1、Children's bicycle helmet
  1.1 Children's bicycle helmets should be tested and comply with relevant regulations and standards.
  All of the following regulations need to be met:
• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act CPSIA (lead).
• Consumer Product Safety Act CPSA Section 14(a)(5) (tracking labels);
• U.S. Federal Regulation 16 CFR Part 1203 (Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards);
  If the helmet is sold to children under 3 years of age, it should also comply with the following regulations:
• U.S. Federal Regulation 16 CFR Part 1501 (Small Parts Inspection*)
  If the helmet is sold to children between the ages of 3 and 6, it should also comply with the following regulations:
• U.S. Federal Regulations 16 CFR Part 1500.19 and 16 CFR Part 1500.20 (Small Parts Labeling**).
  Children's bicycle helmets are required to meet any of the following testing standards, depending on the type of helmet:
• ASTM F1898-15 (Standard for Non-Motorized Wheeled Vehicle Helmets for Infants and Children).
• ASTM F1447-18 (Standard for Recreational Bicycle or Roller Skating Helmets).
• Snell B-90A.
• Snell B-95
  1.2 A compliance label must be displayed on the product details page to demonstrate that the children's helmets sold meet the product certification and labeling requirements. The label must state one of the following:
• Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 5 and Older.
• Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 1 and Older (Extended Head Coverage).
  1.3 If the children's helmets sold contain small parts and are designed for children between the ages of 3 and 6, the following requirements should also be observed:
  Warnings for small parts should be clearly labeled on the product detail page (see 16 CFR 1500.20).
  2、Ordinary bicycle helmet
  2.1 Bicycle helmets should be tested and comply with relevant regulations and standards.
  All of the following regulations need to be met:
• U.S. Federal Regulation 16 CFR Part 1203 (Bicycle Helmet Safety Standards)
  Satisfy any one of the following test standards:
• ASTM F1447 (Standard for Recreational Bicycle or Roller Skating Helmets).
• Snell B-90A
• Snell B-95
  2.2 A compliance label must be displayed on the product details page to demonstrate that the helmet being sold meets the product certification and labeling requirements, and the label must state the following:
• Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 5 and Older
  3. Other Notes
  The use of U.S. CPSC descriptors, such as "CPSC Certified," is prohibited in the marketing of helmets. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not test, certify, or approve merchandise, so product information should not include language or photographs that state or imply that CPSC has approved or certified the merchandise.