CPSC Describes Its Voluntary Standard Activities in FY 2010

CPSC Can Issue Mandatory Standards or Support Voluntary Ones

CPSC states that there are two types of standards: government (mandatory) and non-government (voluntary) standards. For some consumer products, CPSC issues mandatory standards. For others, it promotes safety by providing technical support to voluntary standard activities.

The vast majority of voluntary standards development activities are handled by three standards development/coordinating organizations: ASTM International (previously called the American Society for Testing and Materials), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL).

Failure to Meet Voluntary Standards Can Result in Recalls

While not mandatory, CPSC states that failure to meet a voluntary standard could lead to a substantial product hazard determination by CPSC and result in a recall.

CPSIA Required Certain Voluntary Standards to Become Mandatory

In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) required CPSC to examine voluntary standards for certain durable infant or toddler products, such as walkers, bath seats, cribs, high chairs, play yards, etc. and either make the existing voluntary safety standard for these products mandatory or issue a stricter mandatory standard.

CPSC has issued mandatory standards for infant bath seats, walkers, and cribs to date. (See ITT’s Online Archives 06/04/10, 06/21/10, 12/28/10 news, 10060427, 10062165, 10122813, for BP summaries.)

The CPSIA also required the ASTM F963 toy standard to become a mandatory standard for toys manufactured on or after August 17, 2009. (See ITT’s Online Archives or 08/06/09 news, 09080605, for BP summary.)

In FY 2010, Staff Worked on Blind Cords, Bicycles, Soccer Goals, Heaters, Etc.

In FY 2010, CPSC staff provided technical support or monitored voluntary safety standards activities in the following 62 areas (note that even after voluntary standards become mandatory, CPSC staff still works with the relevant standard development committees to ensure continued safety):

Reports Describe Each Standard, Activities, Next Action, Staff Contact

For each voluntary standard activity which staff monitored or provided support, the reports contain the objective of the standard, the name of the employee heading each activity, the FY 2010 activities on the standard, and the next action. For example:

Product: Helmets (Recreational)

Contact: Hall, Ian

Purpose: To revise the ASTM safety standards and test methods for recreational helmets to improve safety.

Activities: During the reporting period, the ASTM Standard Test Methods for Equipment and Procedures Used in Evaluating the Performance Characteristics of Protective Headgear (ASTM F1446-08) was being updated concerning the test procedures for roll-off and strap elongation, in addition to labeling changes. Various recreational helmet standards were up for revision or reaffirmation.

Next action: CPSC staff will monitor the development of updates to the ASTM F1446 headgear test method standard. In addition, staff will participate in the next ASTM subcommittee meeting on 11/17/10 and will continue to provide technical support for updating the ASTM F1446-08 standard. Further, staff will monitor the development of a visor standard for equestrian headgear that may become applicable to bike helmet visors.

(The report states that staff involvement in voluntary standard activity was somewhat limited in FY 2010 due to the agency’s focus on the implementation of the CPSIA.)

FY 2010 mid year report (October 2009 -- March 2010) available here.