Compliance, by definition, is following the rules, any rules.
If you create or import to gift, donate, or sell, you will follow the rules set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
The CPSC's regulations include any product that is made for or sold to someone other than yourself.
The CPSC's main job is to protect consumers, however, by protecting consumers, they are also protecting your business from unnecessary issues.
Under the regulations of the CPSC and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), nearly all consumer products must be tested for various elements to ensure safety. These elements may include lead, flammability, and phthalates (like BPA).
Under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly all consumer products require some form of labeling and our advertising must be non-deceptive.
Essentially, safety compliance breaks down to 5 main steps:
1. Registration with the CPSC (free)
2. Purchasing readily compliant materials and/or testing on your own
3. Tracking components and finished products
4. Labeling (small cost just like your materials)
5. Creating your own statement of compliance for the finished products (including any necessary testing)
This is where my job is to assist you. I provide support for this part of the journey as efficiently and effectively as possible so that you can get right back to selling.
As a business (versus a hobby that donates or gifts), you will also come across more regulations, but this is dependent upon the type of business you are, the entity type you've chosen, and the city, county, and state you reside. These are areas I cannot help in, however I feel it is important to note it as it is part of 'compliance' in business.
In general, business compliance will break down into 4 main steps:
1. Register at state level to accept and pay state sales taxes
2. Register your business name at city/county level
3. Register at the federal level for EIN (free) and incorporation
4. File federal, state, and city income, sales, & property taxes.
Finally, there is an issue of your creative genius. Protecting your intellectual property can be a bit of a battlefield on it's own. There are 3 main areas of intellectual property to be aware of:
1. Copyrights
2. Trademarks
3. Patents
Regardless of where you are in business, compliance covers a large range of topics, so it is important to have this information on your radar now so that when you come across these, you'll be ready.