US CPSC Issues Supplemental NPR With Modifications for Infant Sleep Products

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) for infant sleep products not currently covered by bassinets & cradles, full size/non-full size cribs, play yards and bedside sleepers. If accepted, the supplemental NPR, published on October 16, 2019, would adopt the ASTM International standard F3118-17a but with some modifications. These modifications would make the requirements more stringent.

The supplemental NPR covers the following types of infant sleep product:
• Frame-type inclined sleep products
• Hammocks
• Compact inclined sleep products
• Accessory inclined sleep products

The proposal does not include products with an adjustable seat back position that are covered by other standards in inclined positions, e.g., bouncers, rockers, hand-held carriers, or infant swings, unless they have a seat back angle that is specifically marketed at children 5 months or younger for the purposes of sleep.

Modifications in the supplemental NPR include:
1. Introduction and scope of the standard to state the purpose of the standard is to address all infant sleep products not already covered by traditional sleep product standards
2. Remove the term ‘inclined’ under the definitions of accessory, compact, infant inclined sleep products, and new-born inclined sleep products
3. The maximum allowable seat back angle intended for sleep must be equal to or less than 10 degrees in all recommended use positions
4. Add a requirement that infant sleep product must meet 16 CFR 1218 requirements
5. Remove all the performance requirements except for the above new or modified requirements
6. Remove all test methods except for maximum seat back angle

It also proposes:
1. Infant sleep products must meet the warning requirements in the bassinet and cradle standard, instead of those stated in ASTM F3118-17a
2. 16 CFR 1130 to include “infant sleep products” as a category of durable infant or toddler product in consumer registration rule
3. 16 CFR 1112 to add infant sleep products to the list of products that require third party testing

The requirements in the supplemental NPR are therefore more stringent than the requirements in ASTM F3118-17a and stakeholders are now advised the check their products in relation to this proposed action.

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the market. Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/toys-and-juvenile-products

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For further information contact:

Piyush Shah
Technical Director (Hardlines)
Tel: +1 (973) 461-7953
Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/softlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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