US CPSC publishes safety standards for infant swings and revises standards for infant bath seats and full-size cribs

January 2013

Relevant for: Toys & children’s products

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published its new Safety Standard for Infant Swings. This new standard, which will be listed in 16 CFR Part 1223, requires infant swings to comply with ASTM F2088-12a – Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Swings with some modifications.

The standard addresses infant swings including “cradle swings” and “travel swings” with the following definitions: 

  • Infant swing – “a stationary unit with a frame and powered mechanism that enables an infant to swing in a seated position. An infant swing is intended for use with infants from birth until a child is able to sit up unassisted.”
  • Cradle swing – “an infant swing which is intended for use by a child lying flat.”
  • Travel swing – “a low profile, compact swing having a distance of 6 in. or less between the underside of the seat bottom and the support surface (floor) at any point in the seat’s range of motion.”

This rule will take effect on May 7, 2013 and applies to products manufactured on or after that date. Table A listed details of the modifications made by the CPSC.

Table A: CPSC's Modification in Safety Standard for Infant Swings

Replaces section 8.3.1 of ASTM F2088-12a with the following:

  • 8.3.1 The warning statements shall address the following at a minimum:
    • 8.3.1.1 Products having an adjustable seat recline with a maximum seatback angle greater than 50 degrees from horizontal measured in accordance with 7.13 shall address the following:

Keep swing seat fully reclined until child is at least 4 months old AND can hold up head without help. Young infants have limited head and neck control. If seat is too upright, infant’s head can drop forward, compress the airway, resulting in DEATH

    • 8.3.1.2 To prevent serious injury or death from infants falling or being strangled in straps:
      (A) Always secure infant in the restraint system provided.
      (B) Never leave infant unattended in swing.
      (C) Discontinue use of swing when infant attempts to climb out.
      (D) Travel swings (see 3.1.11) shall address the following: Always place swing on floor. Never use on any elevated surface.

Replacing section 7.12.2 of ASTM F2088-12a with the following:


  • 7.12.2 Place the back of the swing in the most upright position. Remove positioning accessories, including pillows. Position the segments of the restraint system to limit interaction with the Hinged Weight Gage—Infant (see Fig. 10) when placed in the seat. Place the Hinged Weight Gage—Infant with the hinge located at the junction of the swing back and seat bottom (see Fig. 8). Determine if the lowest point of the toy positioned over the occupant is within 25.25 inches (641.5 mm) of the top surface of the Lower Plate (see Fig. 10) — throughout the swing seat’s range of motion. Proceed to section 7.12.3 if the distance is 25.25 inches (641.5 mm) or less. The toy is considered out of reach and not tested to 7.12.3 if the distance is greater than 25.25 inches (641.5 mm).

 

The CPSC also published a Direct Final Rule to revise the safety standards for infant bath seats in 16 CFR 1215 and for full-size cribs in 16 CFR 1219. The revision is to replace the current requirements with more recent versions of the applicable ASTM standards, which were revised to incorporate modifications made by the CPSC. Since both revised standards, ASTM F1967-11a and ASTM F1169-115, are essentially the same as the current requirements in 16 CFR 1215 and 16 CFR 1219, no changes to the products is required. The revision becomes effective on Nov 12, 2012.