Regulations for Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets in Canada to Align with US Consumer Product Safety Requirements

Health Canada has proposed major modifications to the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (CCBR) to enhance the safety and better align Canada’s safety requirements with those already adopted by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Background on Canadian Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations

The Canadian Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (1) (CCBR) were initially published and became effective on 18 November 2010 under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA),

On 25 July, 2015 a proposal was introduced to revise the CCBR to include major modifications to address hazards identified for; cribs, cradles and bassinets that are not addressed in the current regulations. The proposed CCBR (2) is intended to improve the safety of these products to further safeguard against injuries and deaths. This would also further align the CCBR requirements with the requirements established by the US CPSC, which reference the ASTM standards for cribs, cradles and bassinets.

Revising Regulations for Cribs

Between 2010 and mid-September 2014, there were 35 recalls for cribs, cradles and bassinets, of which 14 were related to crib drop sides, 5 to crib slat strength, 2 to crib mattress supports and 2 to instructions for assembly and proper use.

Proposed revised regulations include the following:

- Prohibiting the sale, importation, manufacture and advertisement of cribs, cradles and bassinets with drop sides;

- Updating the structural integrity test method for the mattress support;

- Adding an additional performance requirement and test method for crib slat strength;

- Including a performance requirement to further safeguard against incorrect assembly of key structural components of cribs, cradles, bassinets and accessories;

- Including performance requirements and test methods for accessories, such as sleep or changer table accessories;

- Including performance requirements for the maximum rest angle and maximum flatness angle of cribs, cradles, bassinets, sleep accessories and stands;

- Updating the completely bounded openings performance requirement and test method to clearly include cribs, cradles, bassinets and sleep accessories with sides made out of textile or other pliable materials;

- Changing the performance requirement for the maximum height of corner posts from 3 mm to 1.5 mm;

- Including a performance requirement and test method for the stability of cradles, bassinets and stands;

- Introducing performance requirements and test methods for stands that are designed or advertised for use with cribs, cradles and bassinets;

- Adding a performance requirement prohibiting the use of occupant restraints on cribs, cradles, bassinets and sleep accessories;

- Adding performance requirements and test methods limiting the length of cords and size of loops attached to cribs, cradles, bassinets, accessories and stands;

- Providing a six-month transition period for the replacement of non-compliant cribs, cradles and bassinets available in the marketplace.
 
Comments and concerns regarding the proposal are invited and can be submitted to Health Canada, CCBR within 75 days from the date of publication of Canada Gazette, Part I (until October 8, 2015).

References:

(1) Canada Gazette – July 25, 2015 – Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations

(2) Justice Laws Website November 18, 2010 – Proposed Canadian Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations

About SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Safety

SGS has been designated as the Principal Laboratory for the US Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) for testing of juvenile products for JPMA program certified products for the US market. SGS works closely with JPMA, CPSC, ASTM and NGOs in the standard development process, education, and promotion of safe nursery products. SGS Consumer Testing provides physical, mechanical and analytical testing of nursery products to meet US, EU and other international market compliance requirements through a network of SGS global laboratories.

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

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
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SGS North America
Technical Director – Hardgoods
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USA

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