US Safety Standard Seeks to Minimize Risks for Infant Sleep Products

In May 2015, the ASTM International released a new safety specification for Infant Inclined Sleep Products to establish test methods as well as marking and labeling requirements for the safe use of products by both the occupant and caregiver. (1)

ASTM Standard Defines and Regulates Infant Inclined Sleep Products

This safety specification was developed in response to data collected by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and it is intended to minimize hazards associated with Infant Inclined Sleep Products.  The new standard is designated ASTM F3118-15.

ASTM International defines an Infant Inclined Sleep Product as “a free standing product with an inclined sleep surface primarily intended and marketed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant up to 5 months of age, or when the infant begins to roll over or pull up on sides”. This safety standard also covers infant and newborn inclined sleep product accessories and smaller products intended for newborns up to 3 months old, or when the newborn begins to wiggle out of position or turn over in the product, or weighs more than 15 lb (6.8 kg).

ASTM F3118-15 Optimizes Product Safety

The new safety standard addresses the prohibition and restriction of the following requirements:

General Requirements:

- Lead in paints or surface coatings and substrates as specified under the CPSIA

- Hazardous sharp points or edges

- Small part choking hazards

- Wood components must be smooth and free from splinters

- Scissoring/shearing/pinching hazards

-  Finger entrapment hazards associated with openings in any rigid materials

- Pinch hazards associated with exposed coil springs

- Hazardous protective components

- Warning label permanency requirements

- Requirements for toy components

The Infant Inclined Sleep Products must meet the following Performance Requirements as specified in ASTM F3118-15

- Structural integrity

- Stability

- Side to side surface containment

- Unintentional folding

- Side height

- Containment for the head/foot/side locations

- Restraints

- Finger entrapment for mesh/fabric sided products

- Minimum and maximum incline angle

Labeling Included in ASTM Regulation

The following information must be provided to meet the requirements for marking and labeling. Each product and its retail package shall be marked or labeled clearly, legibly and permanently as follows:

- The name of the manufacturer, distributor or seller, and place of business (city, state, and mailing address, including zip code) must be provided on the product and its packaging as applicable. 

- The labeling must include a tracking code to be in compliance with CPSIA section 103.

- Each item must be labeled with required warning statements and safety alert symbols.

- Instructions for assembly, maintenance, cleaning and adjustment information must be included.

- The retail packaging is required to include a consumer registration form as defined in the CPSIA Section 104(d).

In addition, as a ‘children’s product’ and potentially a ‘childcare article’ as defined under the CPSIA, infant/toddler rockers are required to comply with the applicable requirements of the CPSIA even if not specifically included in the new ASTM F3118-15 standard.

References:

(1) ASTM F3118-15 standard (http://www.astm.org/Standards/F3118.htm)

About SGS Services for Toys and Juvenile Products

SGS is committed to providing information about developments in regulations for consumer products as a complimentary service. Throughout its global network of laboratories, SGS is able to provide a wide range of services including electromechanical testing and certification, material testing (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Juvenile-Products-and-Childcare-Articles/Testing/Material-Testing.aspx) and consultancy work for technical and non-technical parameters applicable to a comprehensive range of consumer products.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS representative for additional information.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services

Ali Karimi

SGS North America

Technical Manager, Toys – Hardgoods

291 Fairfield AVE

Fairfield, New Jersey 07004

USA

t: + 973-575-5252

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.sgs.com/juvenileproducts

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