# Which CPSC rules apply to water beads (children's)? > Which CPSC rules apply to water beads (children's), which certificate they need, the citation codes to put on it, and how the data is eFiled at entry. From CPSC's own citation code list. Checked 2026-09-22 · https://cpsccomply.com/rules/water-beads/ ## Quick answer Water beads (children's) are a children's product, so it needs a Children's Product Certificate (CPC) based on testing at a CPSC-accepted third-party laboratory, and the CPC data must be eFiled with the entry since 8 July 2026. The rules CPSC lists for it: 1250.4 (16 CFR 1250.4: Safety Standard for Water Beads). ## Citation codes | Code | Regulation | When it applies | Testing | |---|---|---|---| | 1250.4 | 16 CFR 1250.4: Safety Standard for Water Beads | Always, for this product type | Third-party testing at a CPSC-accepted lab | | 1278a | 15 USC 1278a: Total Lead Content for Children's Products | always for children's products: total lead content | — | | 1303 | 16 CFR 1303: Ban of Lead-Containing Paint and Certain Consumer Products Bearing Lead-Containing Paint | if the product has paint or a surface coating | — | | 1307 | 16 CFR 1307: Prohibition of Children's Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates | if it is a toy or a child care article (sleep, feeding, sucking, teething) | — | ## Certificate Certificate type: Children's Product Certificate (CPC). For water beads (children's) the testing laboratory must be one CPSC has accepted for this rule. CPSC's list holds 737 accepted laboratories: https://cpsccomply.com/data/labs/ CPSC flags 13 HTS codes in its "Toys" category: https://cpsccomply.com/data/flagged-hts-codes/ ## Recalls of this product type Since 2023, 3 CPSC recall notices carry this product type in their title, 3 of them for China-made goods (100.0%), covering about 59,476 units. Hazards cited most often: Poisoning / lead / chemical (3), Fall / general injury (2), Choking (1). Most recent: - 2026-09-17: Toyworld168 Recalls Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Water Bead Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys - 2026-09-03: OKK Trading Recalls Rainbow Mystery Squishy Bun Toys Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Water Bead Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Toys - 2023-09-14: Buffalo Games Recalls Chuckle & Roar Ultimate Water Beads Activity Kits Due to Serious Ingestion, Choking and Obstruction Hazards; One Infant Death Reported; Sold Exclusively at Target ## Sources - CPSC: eFiling Citation and Testing Exception Codes (Excel, Dec 2025): - CPSC: Update on Certificates of Compliance and eFiling: - Federal Register: Certificates of Compliance, 90 FR 1800 (8 Jan 2025): --- CPSC Comply · https://cpsccomply.com/rules/water-beads/ · Independent. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).