Gel-filled stress-relief toys such as tofu-shaped squishies, buns, and glitter cubes have long been popular on cross-border e-commerce platforms.

However, after repeated squeezing, dropping, or stretching, these products are prone to issues like outer shell cracking, seal failure, or exposure of the internal filling—making them more likely to trigger compliance scrutiny for children's toys.

For sellers of gel-filled products, the key concern is not merely whether a CPC certificate exists, but whether the test report genuinely covers the actual product’s outer material, filling, structure, and potential risks under normal use.

I.What Compliance Requirements Must Be Verified for Gel-Filled Products?

1. CPC Must Match Specific Finished Products

Starting July 8, 2026, most imported regulated consumer products requiring certification must submit electronic certificate data via the ACE system.

Sellers of gel-filled products still need to provide authentic and accurate CPCs along with supporting test documentation.

The certificate must clearly specify the product name, model number, applicable rules, manufacturing information, and testing details. A generic "squishy toy CPC" cannot cover multiple products differing in size, filling type, or structure.

2. Determine Applicable ASTM F963 Sections Based on Product Structure

If the gel-filled squishy qualifies as a children’s toy, laboratories may assess the following based on its design:  

• Cleanliness of liquid, gel, or powder fillings

• Requirements for squeeze toys

• Standards for filled or beanbag-style toys

• Abuse and reasonable use testing

• Small parts

• Sharp points and edges

• Heavy metals

• Phthalates

• Other relevant mechanical and chemical tests. 

Specific test items should be determined by the product’s physical form, materials, age grading, and accessibility.

3. Complete Finished Product Matters More Than Individual Materials

Testing only the raw materials of the outer shell or providing just a gel formulation report is usually insufficient to prove full compliance with children’s toy safety requirements.  

Laboratories must also evaluate whether the finished product, after being squeezed, stretched, dropped, or otherwise used reasonably and foreseeably, experiences any of the following:  

• Outer shell rupture

• Leakage of filling

• Seal delamination

• Detachment of small parts

• Exposure of sharp points or edges

• Risks of skin, eye, or oral contact.

II.Key Safety Risks for Gel-Filled Products

1. Outer Shell Rupture and Filling Exposure

Soft gel shells can develop micro-cracks or delaminate at weak spots, seams, or seals after prolonged compression.  

Once internal gel, glitter liquid, or oily substances are exposed, children may come into contact with them through skin, eyes, or mouth.  

Therefore, factors such as shell thickness, material strength, sealing method, and overall product structure must all be included in risk assessment.

2. Opaque Filling Formulations

Some manufacturers only provide vague claims such as “eco-friendly gel” or “non-toxic filling fluid,” without disclosing:  

• Main components of the gel

• Sources of colorants

• Preservative systems

• Fragrance ingredients

• Suppliers

• Raw material batch numbers

If the filling could reasonably be contacted during normal use, verbal supplier statements alone cannot support product compliance.

III.Common Pitfalls for Sellers

1. Using the Same Report Across Different Fill Types

Although gel-filled, solid rubber, and sand-filled products may look similar, their internal structures, materials, and associated risks differ significantly. A report valid only for solid rubber products cannot be directly applied to liquid-filled ones.

2. Conducting Only Basic Chemical Testing

Some sellers prepare only lead, phthalate, or heavy metal test results, neglecting essential mechanical, physical, squeeze toy, or liquid-filled product assessments that apply to their specific item.

3. Production Formula Differs from Tested Sample

Common changes include switching gel suppliers, adding glitter or color powders, introducing fragrances, altering outer shell resin, reducing shell thickness, or changing adhesive types. All such modifications may invalidate the original test report.

4. Age Label Conflicts with Product Content

The page is labeled "14+," but the images still depict children using the product, and the title includes terms such as Kids, Toddler, children's gifts, and classroom rewards, which may lead to the product being classified as a children's toy.

IV.Remediation Actions for Gel Products

1. Standardize Product Models and BOM  

Clearly define the outer material, gel formulation, color, scent, dimensions, manufacturing factory, and edge-sealing process for each ASIN.

2. Determine Testing Requirements Based on Actual Finished Products  

Submit the actual product, packaging, instruction manual, and age rating to a CPSC-recognized laboratory or an Amazon-approved TIC organization to first confirm applicable standards, then complete testing or document verification.

3. Establish Material Change Management  

Whenever changes occur in materials (such as outer cover, gel, colorants, fragrances), suppliers, or manufacturing processes, promptly assess the affected testing requirements.

4. Review Listings and Product Positioning  

Ensure that listing descriptions align with the product’s actual target audience, packaging, and testing documentation. If the product is intended for children, prepare documentation according to children's toy requirements.

5. Categorize and Handle In-Stock Inventory  

For inventory where documentation and production data match, follow platform instructions to complete TIC verification or file appeals; for inventory where documentation cannot be completed within a short timeframe, arrange removal within the specified deadline. Conclusion

The key to compliance for gel squeeze toys is not simply adding more testing items, but ensuring consistency among the outer cover, filling material, product structure, mass-produced goods, test reports, and CPC certification.  

If the gel formula is unknown, suppliers frequently change materials, reports only cover the outer shell, or there are discrepancies between production samples and submitted test samples, the risk of link review will significantly increase.

If you have questions about applicable standards for gel products, report coverage, or CPC and platform verification procedures, feel free to leave a comment. Nengbiao Testing can provide targeted assessments based on your product samples and documentation.