US CPSC Approves NPR for Portable Hook-On Chairs Consistent with ASTM Standard

US CPSC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) for Portable Hook-On Chairs.

Proposed Rulemaking for Safety Standard for Portable Hook-On Chairs codified under U.S 16 CFR 1233 and requirements pertaining to third party conformity assessment bodies under part 16 CFR 1112.  This is in response to the direction issued by Congress under section 104(b) of the CPSIA.
The NPR has been published within the Federal Register on July 2, 2015 and comment period for the NPR is open until September 15, 2015.

ASTM Definition of “Hook-On Chair”

The scope section of ASTM F1235–15 defines a portable hook-on chair as “a legless seat made for the express purpose of seating and holding a child who can remain in a sitting position due to his or her own coordination…..seat constructed to locate the occupant at a table in such a position and elevation so that the surface of the table can be used as the feeding surface for the occupant…..supported solely by the table on which it is mounted.’’

The ASTM standard specifies the appropriate ages and weights for children using portable hook-on chairs as ‘‘between the ages of six months and three years and who weigh no more than 37 lbs. (16.8 kg) (95th percentile male at three years).’’

Typical hook-on chairs consist of fabric over a lightweight frame, with a device to mount the seat to a support surface, such as a table or counter. Some hook-on chairs fold for easy storage or transport, and some include a removable tray that can be used in conjunction with a table.

Rate of Incidence Occurrence

CPSC staff reviewed 89 reported incidents occurring between January 1, 2000 and October 31, 2014 (1 fatality, 50 with injuries, and 38 without injuries) to identify hazard patterns associated with portable hook-on chairs. Subsequently, CPSC staff considered the hazard patterns (table 1) when reviewing the adequacy of ASTM F1235.

Descriptive Statistics of Product-Related Issues or Hazard Patterns
    
Attachment to Table Compromised – 31
Restraints or Containment – 11
Seat Fabric Separation Due to Unintended Release of Snaps or Strap – 6
Seat Fabric Separation Due to Torn or Broken Components – 3
Miscellaneous Broken Components – 6
Other – 1

Hook-On Chair Product Recalls

Since January 1, 2000, two hook-on chairs were recalled involving two different firms. The first recall was in June 2001 after one report of a child who fell from the chair because that model chair did not incorporate a seat belt. The second recall in August 2011 involved multiple hazards.

Reference:

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-07-02/pdf/2015-16330.pdf)

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