US CPSC Issues Final Rule for Nursing Pillows

SafeGuardSToys and Juvenile ProductsNovember 05, 2024

SG 159/24

US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a final rule to establish a consumer product safety standard for nursing pillows.

On October 25, 2024, the CPSC published a final rule, 16 CFR 1242, to establish a consumer product safety standard aimed at reducing the risk of death and injury from hazards associated with nursing pillows. The rule will become effective on April 23, 2025.

ASTM published voluntary standard ASTM F3669-24 for nursing pillows in September 2024. Although some requirements in the voluntary standard are substantially similar to the requirements in the final rule, CPSC has determined that the more stringent requirements in the final rule would further reduce the risk of injury associated with the use of nursing pillows.

The final rule defines nursing pillow as, “any product intended, marketed, or designed to position and support an infant close to a caregiver's body while breastfeeding or bottle feeding, including any removable covers, or slipcovers, sold on or together with such a product. These products rest upon, wrap around, or are worn by a caregiver in a seated or reclined position.”

The requirements in the final rule include:

General requirements

Lead in paints
Small parts
Hazardous sharp edges or points
Removal of components
Permanency of labels and warnings

Performance requirements

Firmness
Infant containment
Infant restraints
Seam strength
Caregiver attachment strength

Marking and labeling requirements
Instructional literature requirements

Exempted from the rule are:

Maternity pillows (also known as a pregnancy pillow), defined as, “a large body pillow intended, marketed, and designed to provide support to a pregnant adult's body during sleep or while lying down”
Sling carriers, defined in 16 CFR 1228 as, “a product of fabric or sewn fabric construction, which is designed to contain up to two (2) children in an upright or reclined position while being supported by the caregiver’s torso. Sling carriers are normally used from full-term birth to 35 lb. (15.9 kg) unless the manufacturer indicates that a higher weight limit is allowed”
Soft infant and toddler carriers, defined in 16 CFR 1226 as, “a product, normally of sewn fabric construction, which is designed to contain a full-term infant to a toddler, generally in an upright position, in close proximity to the caregiver”

16 CFR 1130 is also updated to include nursing pillows as durable infant or toddler products that require consumer registration. Safety Standard for Nursing Pillows is also to be included in 16 CFR 1112 that lists children’s product safety rules for which CPSC has issued a notice of requirements (NORs).

Final rule 16 CFR 1242

Childcare equipment and children’s furniture must meet strict safety, quality and performance requirements. With a global network of experts and laboratories, SGS can address the testing, inspection, risk assessment and technical documentation requirements for products, as well as conduct factory and social audits to ensure your supply chain is compliant too. Contact us for more information or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested

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