Get Your Car Seat Labels Ordered Early: Compliance, PRCs, and Holiday Shipping Deadlines for Manufacturers

Picture this: a parent juggling grocery bags, a wiggly toddler, and a car seat that needs to click perfectly into place before the winter chill sets in. That busy parent and cute kiddo don’t think twice about the label on that seat—but you do. Behind every safe, compliant car seat is a manufacturer who’s done the hard work to make sure every tag and card meets the strictest safety standards.

We understand how complicated car seat compliance can be, especially when deadlines bump up against the holidays. Between law labels, children’s product tracking labels, and product registration cards (PRCs), there’s a lot to keep straight. And timing matters more than ever this time of year!

Here’s what every car seat manufacturer should know as we head into the busy season.

Understanding Federal Regulations for Car Seats

Children’s car seats are among the most heavily regulated products sold in the U.S. and for good reason. The combination of federal safety standards and CPSC labeling requirements ensures that every seat on the market meets rigorous performance and traceability expectations.

At the federal level, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) oversees Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213, which sets performance requirements for car seats, booster seats, and restraint systems. These standards cover everything from crash testing to labeling instructions and warning placement. You can explore NHTSA’s guidance on FMVSS 213 here.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also plays a key role. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), all durable infant and toddler products—including car seats—must include both a children’s product tracking label and a product registration card. These requirements make it easier to identify and notify consumers in the event of a recall. If you’d like more background, the CPSC’s full overview of durable infant and toddler product rules is available here.

Children’s Product Tracking Labels: Small Tag, Big Responsibility

Every car seat sold in the U.S. must include a children’s product tracking label, as required under CPSIA Section 103. These labels help identify where and when a product was made—and by whom—in case a safety issue comes up later. A compliant tracking label includes:

• The manufacturer’s name
• Location and date of manufacture
• Batch or run number
• Contact information or website

Tracking labels have to be permanent, legible, and easy for consumers to find. They’re a small but essential part of any compliant car seat, ensuring traceability if a recall or consumer concern arises. You can read the CPSC’s guidance on tracking label requirements here.

At American Law Label, we design and print durable tracking labels that meet CPSC expectations and blend seamlessly with your other compliance materials. Whether you’re preparing for a new model launch or updating your production runs, having this piece right helps you avoid downstream headaches.

Product Registration Cards Keep Families Connected

Product Registration Cards (PRCs) might not get much attention on the factory floor, but they’re a big deal for safety. These cards allow parents and caregivers to register their car seat so they can be contacted directly in case of a recall or safety notice. Under CPSC and NHTSA regulations, PRCs must:

• Be attached to each car seat
• Include the manufacturer’s name, model number, and date of manufacture
• Be postage-paid and ready to mail
• Clearly explain why registration matters

The full CPSC overview of PRC requirements is available here. We handle both the design and printing of PRCs to make sure every card meets federal formatting and legibility standards. And because compliance details can change, our team monitors updates from CPSC and NHTSA so your materials stay current. We also offer free quotes on all label and card orders to help you plan your production timelines without surprises.

Plan Ahead For Holiday Printing Deadlines

As the holiday season approaches, production schedules tighten and carrier networks slow down. Planning ahead is the best way to avoid last-minute stress. Our standard turnaround times are 48-hour standard shipping on most label orders and next day for Priority Print Service for urgent projects.

During the holidays, shipping carriers may experience delays outside our control. We’ll always keep you updated if we receive notice that a shipment is running late, but the best defense is to get your order in early.

Our offices will be closed on November 27–28 for Thanksgiving Break, December 22–26 for Winter Break, and January 1 for New Year’s Day. We recommend submitting print orders well before those dates to avoid bottlenecks.

The earlier you confirm your quantities and designs, the smoother things go, especially if you need multiple label types or PRCs produced at once. Even with our quick turnaround, delivery times can stretch during peak season. Building in extra lead time now saves stress later and keeps your products moving on schedule.

If you’re planning to place an order before the holidays, now’s the time! Request a free quote today, and let’s make sure your labels arrive right when you need them.