CPSC Proposes Mandatory Standards for Toddler Beds, Bassinets & Cradles

Comments are due by July 12, 2010.

CPSC Must Issue Mandatory Standards for Durable Infant/Toddler Products

The proposed rules address the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requirement that CPSC issue mandatory safety standards for durable infant and toddler products that are substantially the same as or more stringent than the applicable voluntary standard or are more stringent than the current mandatory standard, as necessary. These standards must be issued every six months on a range of infant/toddler products. CPSC has already issued proposed rules on new mandatory standards for infant bath seats, baby walkers, baby bouncers, etc. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 09/03/09 news, (Ref: 09090320), for BP summary.)

Toddler Bed Proposed Rule

The following are highlights of the toddler bed proposed rule:

ASTM standard, but strengthened. CPSC’s proposed rule would make mandatory the voluntary standard for toddler beds developed by ASTM International, ASTM F 1821-09 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toddler Beds¹, but with certain modifications to strengthen the standard.

Effective date. The proposed standard would apply to toddler beds manufactured or imported on or after the date that is 6 months after a final rule is published in the Federal Register.

Definition of toddler bed. Under the ASTM standard and the proposed rule a toddler bed is defined as any bed sized to accommodate a full-size crib mattress having minimum dimensions of 51 5/8 inches in length and 27 1/4 inches in width and that is intended to provide free access and egress to a child not less than 15 months of age and weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Higher guardrail height. The proposed rule would strengthen the ASTM standard by requiring guardrails to be a minimum height of 5 inches above the manufacturer’s recommended sleeping surface to help prevent falls. Although the proposed standard would not require guardrails, persons who choose to have guardrails on their toddler beds should be able to rely on it performing the function of helping to prevent falls.

Additional testing. In addition to the already existing test for guardrail openings, the proposed rule would add a test for the overall stability of guardrails using a 50-lb force while the bed is firmly secured. It would also modify slat/spindle testing for guardrails, side rails, and end structures.

Improved warning labels. Under the proposed rule, all of the warnings specified in section 8.4 of ASTM F 1821-09 would be presented as two separate warnings, one addressing the entrapment hazard and the other addressing the strangulation hazard, as CPSC found the ASTM warning label requirements confusing.

Eventual certification. The proposed rule states that toddler beds will need to be tested by a CPSC-accredited third-party lab and certified as complying with the mandatory standard once it becomes effective. In the future, CPSC will issue a notice of requirements to explain how labs can become accredited to test to the new toddler bed standard. (Note that toddler beds are still subject to the testing and certification stay of enforcement, falling under the category of products for which the stay will be lifted once their required rulemakings are in place, etc. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/29/09 news, (Ref: 09122920), for BP summary.)

Bassinet and Cradle Proposed Rule

The following are highlights of the bassinet and cradle proposed rule:

ASTM standard, but strengthened. CPSC’s proposed rule would make mandatory the voluntary standard developed by ASTM International, ASTM F 2194-07a^ε1, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bassinets and Cradles,¹ but with certain modifications to strengthen the standard.

Effective date. The proposed standard would apply to bassinets and cradles manufactured or imported on or after the date that is 6 months after a final rule is published in the Federal Register.

Definition. Under the ASTM standard and the proposed rule a bassinet or cradle is a small bed for infants supported by free standing legs, a wheeled base, a rocking base, or that can swing relative to a stationary base. They are not intended to be used with children who are beyond the age of approximately 5 months. Bassinet and cradle attachments for non-full-size cribs or play yards are considered a part of this product category, as are bedside sleeper bassinets that can be converted to a four-sided bassinet not attached to a bed.

Exclusions identified. Unlike the ASTM standard, the proposed rule would identify certain products that are excluded from the standard such as cribs and hand-carrying baskets.

Added specificity. The proposed rule would specify in the scope that the standard is a performance specification for bassinets and cradles and that the intended use is for infants who are not able to push up on their hands and knees.

New performance requirements, test procedures. The proposed rule would add performance requirements and test procedures for: (i) maximum allowable rocking angle, maximum allowable rest angle of the sleep surface, and maximum allowable flatness angle; (ii) fabric-sided bassinets and cradles; and (iii) locking mechanisms intended to prevent rocking or swinging cradles from rocking or swinging the mattress bed.

Updated warnings. In addition, the proposed rule would add updated warnings to address proper use of bedding materials by providing more emphasis and prominence to the warnings.

Eventual certification. The proposed rule states that bassinets and cradles will need to be tested by a CPSC-accredited third-party lab and certified as complying with the mandatory standard once it becomes effective. In the future, CPSC will issue a notice of requirements to explain how labs can become accredited to test to the new bassinet and cradle standard. (Note that bassinets and cradles are still subject to the testing and certification stay of enforcement, falling under the category of products for which the stay will be lifted once their required rulemakings are in place, etc. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 12/29/09 news, (Ref: 09122920), for BP summary.)

(CPSC notes that in addition to the above requirements, both toddler beds and bassinets and cradles must meet all other applicable CPSC requirements such as lead content, phthalates, tracking labels, consumer registration form requirements, etc.)

¹The ASTM standards are copyrighted, but can be viewed as read-only documents, only during the comment period on these proposed rules, at http://www.astm.org/cpsc.htm, by permission of ASTM (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials).

CPSC proposed rule on toddler beds (FR Pub 04/28/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6947.pdf

CPSC proposed rule on bassinets and cradles (FR Pub 04/28/10) available at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-7667.pdf