SG 148/23
US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a notice of proposed rulemaking to establish a consumer product safety rule for infant and infant/toddler rockers.
On October 26, 2023, the CPSC published a notice of proposed rulemaking (16 CFR 1240) to establish a safety standard for infant and infant/toddler rockers aimed at addressing known hazards associated with the use of rockers such as positional asphyxia, disassembly and collapse, hardware failures and falls from elevated surfaces. The proposed rule incorporates by reference ASTM F3084-22 (Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant and Infant/Toddler Rockers), with a modification to make it more stringent and further minimize the risk of injury linked to the use of rockers.
The proposed rule covers all infant rockers and infant/toddler rockers within the scope of ASTM F3084-22, including multi-mode products that have a rocker mode. The proposed rule defines infant rocker and infant/toddler rockers as follows:
- Infant rocker – a freestanding product intended to support an occupant who has not developed the ability to sit up unassisted, up to 20 lb. (approximately 0 through 6 months of age), in a seated, reclined position greater than 10° and to facilitate rocking by the occupant with the aid of the caregiver or by other means
- Infant/toddler rocker – a freestanding product intended to support an occupant in a seated, reclined position greater than 10° and to facilitate rocking by the occupant with the aid of the caregiver or by other means until the occupant is approximately ages 2.5 years, up to 40 lb.
The modification in the standard includes:
- Definitions - revised and added
- Requirements and test methods added:
- Tethered strap accessibility
- Drop test
- Battery compartments
- Firmness
- Concavity
- Warning label visibility test
- Modified the forward stability requirements (6.3.1 and 6.3.1.1) and test method (7.4.1.6)
- Modified and added new labeling requirements
16 CFR 1130 is also proposed to be updated to include infant and infant/toddler rockers as durable infant or toddler products that require consumer registration. Safety Standard for Infant and Infant/Toddler Rockers is also proposed to be included in 16 CFR 1112, which lists children’s product safety rules for which CPSC has issued a notice of requirements (NORs).
CPSC has proposed an effective date of 180 days after the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register. Interested parties are invited to submit their comments before December 26, 2023.
Notice of Proposed Rule 16 CFR 1240
SGS offers a range of consulting, training, product development, testing, auditing and inspection services to help you demonstrate that your products are safe, high quality, and that they comply with the strict regulations that are enforced by markets around the world. Contact us for more information or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.
