US Safety Standard for Infant Bouncer Seats 16 CFR 1229 to be Updated

The proposed rule would establish a safety standard for infant bouncer seats under section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

Safety of Childcare Articles Aim of New NPR

On 28 October, 2015 the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) to create a safety standard to cover infant bouncer seats (“bouncer seats”) in response to the direction of section 104(b) of the CPSIA. This NPR also proposes to amend 16 CFR Part 1112 to add 16 CFR part 1229, should the standard become a final rule. The CPSC is inviting comments from the public and stakeholders, which should be submitted by 4 January, 2016.

The NPR is based on the most recent voluntary standard ASTM F2167-15 for Infant Bouncer Seats, with specific modifications to improve and strengthen the requirements for on-product warnings and instructional materials provided with bouncer seats.

Current Voluntary Standard Defines Infant Bouncer Seats

The scope section of ASTM F2167-15 defines an “infant bouncer seat” as: “a freestanding product intended to support an occupant in a reclined position to facilitate bouncing by the occupant, with the aid of a caregiver or by other means.” ASTM F2167-15 states that infant bouncer seats are intended for “infants who have not developed the ability to sit up unassisted (approximately 0 to 6 months of age).”

These infant bouncer designs use different methods to support the seat and are intended for “bouncing,” as defined in ASTM F2167.

Hazard Patterns Identified for Reported Incidents

Occurring between January 1, 2006 and February 2, 2015 a total of 277 incidents including 11 fatalities and 51 injuries was reported to CPSC involving bouncer seats. The hazard patterns related to the incidents are listed below:

Hazard Pattern:        Incident Reported:
Product Design            Seventy-five (75)
Structural Integrity         Seventy (70)
Toy Bar-Related                 Thirty-six (36)
Stability issues (tip-over)        Thirty-three (33)
Chemical/Electric Hazards    Thirty (30)
Restraints            Twenty (20)
Hazardous Placement        Eleven (11)
Unknown                Two (2)

Since January 1, 2006, two bouncer seats were recalled involving two different firms. The first recall, in April 2007, involved 1,400 infant bouncer seats. The second recall in July of 2009, involved 6,500 units.

New Hazard Label Requirements Proposed

ASTM F2167-15 sufficiently addresses most of the hazards associated with bouncer seats. However, to modify the effectiveness of warning label requirements, the Commission proposes to incorporate reference ASTM F2167-15 with the following modifications:

- Revise the content of the warnings, markings, and instructions to use the restraints “. . . even if baby is sleeping . . .”
- Change the text in the warnings to read, “stop using when baby starts trying to sit up”
- Change the developmental guidance in the instructions, if stated, to read, “from birth (or “0”) until baby starts trying to sit up.”
- Require that the fall hazard label be located on the front surface of the bouncer adjacent to the area where the child’s head would rest, and modify the current visibility test to reflect this requirement.
- Specify a standard format (including black text on a white background, table design, bullet points, and black border) for the warnings on the product and in the instructions.

About SGS Testing Services for Juvenile Products

SGS has dedicated experts and services to assist companies in the development of juvenile products and childcare articles. It offers physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests, packaging evaluation and quality and safety management (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Premiums-and-Novelty-Items/Product-Risk-Assessment/Quality-and-Safety-Management.aspx) to ensure product compliance in target markets. The JPMA has selected SGS as the Principal Laboratory and Program Administrator due to its expertise and experience in quality, compliance and safety in the child care products industry around the world.

Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS expert for further information.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Ali Karimi
SGS North America
Technical Director – Hardgoods
291 Fairfield Ave.
Fairfield, NJ 07004
USA

t: +973-575-5252
Email: [email protected]  
Website: http://www.sgs.com/juvenileproducts
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