Guide · Oct 14, 2026
Product Registration: Why It Matters for Recalls
Why registering your products gets you recall notices, what federal rules require for baby gear and car seats, and how to register.
By the Consumer Sun editorial team · Last updated
[//]: # (image-alt: Close-Up Shot of a Person Filling Out a Form)
Short answer: Registering a product means giving the maker your contact details so it can reach you directly if that product is recalled. For baby gear and car seats, federal rules require a registration card in the box, and for baby gear the company may use your details only for safety alerts and recalls, not marketing. Registration is free and takes a minute or two.
Last checked October 14, 2026 against CPSC and federal regulations.
Why product registration matters
Most people learn about recalls from the news, if at all. A company that has your name and email can tell you directly, with your exact model. The CPSC says the registration card rule for baby products exists "to improve recall effectiveness."
What federal rules require
| Product | Rule | What the maker must do |
|---|---|---|
| Durable infant and toddler products (cribs, strollers, high chairs, play yards and more) | CPSC registration card rule (16 CFR part 1130) | Attach a postage-paid card, offer online or email registration, keep a list of registered owners, and permanently label the product with the maker's name, model and date of manufacture |
| Car seats | 49 CFR Part 588 with FMVSS 213 | Provide a registration form with each seat and keep records of owners who register, to contact them during a recall |
| Most other products | No federal requirement | Registration is optional; many appliance and electronics makers offer it online |
Can they use my details for marketing?
For durable infant and toddler products, no. The CPSC says firms must use registration information only to notify you about safety alerts or recalls, and may not use it for marketing, promotions or any other purpose.
For other products, it depends on the company. Online registration forms often include a marketing opt-in checkbox. You can register and leave it unchecked. Read the form's privacy note.
Which baby products are covered
The CPSC rule covers 28 categories, including: full-size and non-full-size cribs, crib mattresses, bassinets and cradles, bedside sleepers, play yards, toddler beds, strollers and carriages, high chairs, booster seats, infant bath seats and tubs, bouncers, swings, walkers, baby gates and enclosures, sling and soft carriers, hand-held infant carriers, nursing pillows, infant support cushions, infant sleep products, changing products, portable bed rails, hook-on chairs, stationary activity centers, and children's folding chairs and stools. Accessories sold separately aren't covered. You can see recent recalls in these categories, like ONTHEWEI baby bath seats, on our baby and kids' recalls hub.
How to register
- Use the card in the box, or the web address on it. The card already lists the model and manufacture date.
- Lost the card? Go to the maker's website and look for "product registration." You'll need the model number and date of manufacture from the label.
- Bought it used or got it as a gift? Register it in your own name. The original buyer's registration won't reach you.
- Keep the model label readable. You'll need it to check for recalls later.
Registering the things that get recalled most
- Car seats: for recent Britax, Graco and Evenflo recalls, NHTSA records say owner notification letters went out by mail, and registration is how a maker has your address. See car seat recalls.
- Kitchen appliances: air fryer and pressure cooker recalls often run to millions of units. See air fryer and pressure cooker recalls.
- Baby formula: there's no registration card, so check the FDA list or our baby formula recall guide.
If a registered product is recalled, the notice tells you the remedy. Our recall refund guide explains each one.
Related guides
- Car seat recalls
- Baby formula recalls
- How to check if a product you own has been recalled
- How to get a refund for a recalled product
- Air fryer and pressure cooker recalls
*Photo: RDNE Stock project / Pexels*
Frequently asked questions
How to register a product with CPSC?
You don't register products with the CPSC itself. You register with the manufacturer, using the card in the box or the maker's website. The CPSC's role is to require the card for baby products and to publish recalls. To hear about CPSC recalls generally, use the CPSC site or **Watch my items** on our [recall center](/recalls).
How do I register my Graco product?
Graco has a [product registration page](https://www.gracobaby.com/support/product-registration) on its website. Have the model number and date of manufacture from the product label ready. Registering means Graco can contact you directly. For the 2026 SnugRide Turn & Slide recall, NHTSA's record says owner letters were mailed May 22, 2026.