The regulation and safety standards of juvenile products keep enhancing in order to make the products safer for vulnerable users. There are new regulations, for example, 16 CFR 1236 Infant Sleep Products in US. There are safety standard revisions, for example, EN 13209-1:2021 Framed back carrier in EU.
This article will provide you with the latest news and information one by one.
1. Updates in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has updated the standard reference below:
- Toys and Children’s Products Safety Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1 and 2) Notice 2021
- Effective date: Oct 1, 2021
Products | Current Standards | Proposed New Standards |
Children’s high chairs | BS EN 14988:2017 | BS EN 14988:2017+A1:2020 |
2. Updates in US
A. New CFR
16 CFR 1236 Infant Sleep Products
On June 23, 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff published within the Federal Register the final rules 16 CFR 1236 for Infant Sleep Products. The final rules will adopt the ASTM F3118-17a standard as mandatory with modifications.
The final rules will become effective June 23, 2022 and this will apply to infant sleepers sold, offered for sale, manufactured for sale, distributed in commerce, or imported into the United States as of the effective date.
Scope:
Infant sleep products, including inclined and flat sleep surfaces that apply to all products marketed or intended to provide sleeping accommodation for an infant up to 5 months of age, and that are not already subject to any of the following standards:
- 16 CFR 1218 Bassinets and Cradles
- 16 CFR 1219 Full-Size Baby Cribs
- 16 CFR 1220 and 1221 Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs and Play Yards
- 16 CFR 1222 Bedside Sleepers
Some examples of infant sleepers may include, but not be limited to baby boxes, baby nests, or baby tents marketed for sleeping.
Requirement highlight:
Significant modification on ASTM F3118-17a Infant inclined sleep products
Included a performance requirement and test method to evaluate Maximum Seat Back/Sleep Surface Angle of the infant sleep product (shall not exceed 10 degrees)
Added a requirement that an infant sleep product shall meet 16 CFR 1218, Safety Standard for Bassinets and Cradles, including conforming to the definition of a ‘‘bassinet/cradle.’’
B. New CFR
16 CFR 1223 Infant Swings
On January 19, 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff published within the Federal Register a Direct Final Rule for 16 CFR 1223, Safety Standard for Infant Swings. 16 CFR 1223 will now reference ASTM F2088-20, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant and Cradle Swings as mandatory with no modifications.
This Final Rule will become effective April 3, 2021.
16 CFR 1232 Children’s Folding Chairs and Children’s Folding Stools
On May 17, 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff published within the Federal Register a Direct Final Rule for 16 CFR 1232, Safety Standard for Children’s Folding Chairs and Children’s Folding Stools. 16 CFR 1232 will now reference ASTM F2613-21, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Children’s Chairs and Stools as mandatory with no modifications.
This Final Rule will become effective August 21, 2021.
16 CFR 1231 High Chairs
On April 2, 2021, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff published within the Federal Register a Direct Final Rule for 16 CFR 1231, Safety Standard for High Chairs. 16 CFR 1231 will now reference ASTM F404-20, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs as mandatory with no modifications.
This Direct Final Rule will become effective July 3, 2021.
C. Standard Revision
Health Canada is proposing the Regulations Amending to modify the Surface Coating Materials Regulation under CCPSA
Canada expects that most products on the Canadian market already comply with the proposed amendments. The proposal would benefit industry by improving aligning with the US regulations, thereby, reducing regulatory testing.
ASTM F2088:2021 Infant and Cradle Swings
Change highlight:
- Warning/ labelling revision
- Section 6.1.1, battery compartment labeling was removed
- Section 8.4, Battery-operated Product Marking was added
- Section 8.6.2 The fall hazard warning was revised
- Section 8.6 for battery operated products was moved to section 8.4
- Section 9.2 was added for battery warnings to be included within the instructional literature
- Section 9.4, battery warnings for instructional literature was moved to section 9.2
ASTM F2613:2021 Children’s Chairs and Stools
Change highlight:
- Added infant or infant/toddler rockers into scope as exempted product
- Added clarification into children’s stool definition that children’s ottomans are to be considered as a child’s stool
- Section 6.2, Locking Test Method, was deleted
ASTM F833:2021 Carriages and Strollers
Change highlight:
- Combination Unit of a Car Seat on a Stroller was revised to include the impact test and the head entrapment with car seat on the stroller test
- Introduces the new requirement – Section 6.1.3 The parking brake release mechanism(s).
ASTM F2933:2021 Crib Mattresses
Change highlight:
- Section 5.9.1.1 added additional sections of the ASTM F406 that the after-market mattress must comply with (e.g. Floor strength)
- Added section 5.9.1.3 for size and fit of the aftermarket mattress
- Added section 5.9.1.4 for the floor support structure of the aftermarket mattress
- Added section 5.9.1.5 for instruction manual storage of the aftermarket mattress
ASTM F1004:2021 Expansion gates and expandable enclosures
Change highlight:
- Added definition for side pressure and visual side-pressure indicator
- Added Section 6.8, Visual Side-Pressure Indicators performance requirement
- Additional editorial clarifications made throughout the standard
ASTM F1004:2021 Expansion gates and expandable enclosures
Change highlight:
- Added definition for side pressure and visual side-pressure indicator
- Added Section 6.8, Visual Side-Pressure Indicators performance requirement
- Additional editorial clarifications made throughout the standard
ASTM F3096:2014 Reapproved 2021 Tipover Restraint Used with Clothing Storage Unit
Change highlight:
- Reapproved – Content remain unchanged.
3. Updates in EU
A. New Standard
EN 17191:2021 Seating for children
Scope:
Seating specifically intended for children who are able to walk and sit by themselves.
It applies to seating intended to be placed on the floor for domestic and non-domestic use including in day care centres and for indoor and outdoor use.
NOTE 1 Seating includes but is not limited to chairs, benches, stools, bean bags, deckchairs, rocking chairs, reclining chairs, armchairs, foldable chairs and swivel chairs.
Requirement highlight:
- Hazards from glass
- Surface, edges, corners and points
- Entrapment hazards
- Hazards caused by folding
- Hazards from moving parts
- Hazards of deckchair
- Choking and ingestion hazards
- Strength and durability
- Stability
- Labeling
EN 13209-1:2021 Framed back carrier
Change highlight:
- Clarified the scope, which includes a maximum weight for which the product is intended
- Improvement of definitions including the addition of the definition of framed back carrier
- Conversion to a hazard based format
- Introduction of additional test masses
- Reduction in tolerances
- Update of chemical requirements
- Update of flammability requirements and test methods
- Increase in size of bounded openings in recognition of the age of the child for which the product is intended
- Improvement of entanglement hazard requirements and addition of test methods
- Improvement of the test methods for the carer’s attachment system
- Introduction of warning for packaging materials
- Introduction of purchase information
- Addition of warning translations
- Addition of rationales
B. Standard Revision
EN 16890:2017+A1:2021 Mattresses for cots and cribs
Change highlight:
- “Chemical hazards” requirement now refers to EN 71-3:2019
- Excludes Decorative stitches and Quilting from strength and slippage requirements
- Clarification of test method of “Hazards due to deformation of the filling” – If both sides shall be tested, the point C shall be at the same location on both sides.”
EN 1130:2019 + AC:2020 Cribs
Change highlight:
Editorial change – modification to 6.1, migration of certain elements. Modify the chemical abbreviation for Manganese into “Mn” (instead of “Mg” which corresponds to Magnesium)
3. Updates in Canada
A. Test Method Revision
Method M12.3 (2021-01-26) Bassinets
Change highlight:
The 2021 version for the M12.3 Bassinet Test Method is replacing the 2012 version of the M12.3
The 2021 version contains test guidance for the SOR/2016-152 regulation as it pertains to bassinets. The SOR/2016-152 underwent a major revision in 2016. The 2021 version of the M12.3 addresses those changes that were made to the regulation with respect to bassinets including drop-side limitation, key structural element assembly, accessory requirements, rest angle, and mattress flatness requirements, bounded opening requirements, corner post requirements, stability, and restraint systems.
B. New Test Method
Method M12.4 (2021-03-12) Accessories and Stands
Highlight:
The M12.4 Accessories and Stands Test Method is a first release test method.
The M12.4 is intended to be used in conjunction with the M12 series of test methods for Cribs, Cradles, and Bassinets, SOR/2016-152.
The SOR/2016-152 underwent a major revision in June of 2016. The revised SOR/2016-152 included many new requirements that strengthened the construction and performance requirements for cribs, cradles, and bassinets distributed into Canada including requirements for accessories and stands. This new test method describes test procedures for accessories and stands.
Recommendations from Bureau Veritas:
The safety of classical & smart toys is the most prior concern for consumers, especially parents. To protect children from hazardous components and minimize the risk of being recalled, it is suggested to gain an authorized certificate of related tests.
Content contributor: Business Development of Bureau Veritas Consumer
Products Services Hong Kong (All rights reserved)
Bureau Veritas is an authorized lab to deliver the above certification, all the mentioned testing method,s and another international testing, inspection/audit, and certification. To design optimised solutions for your global market access needs, you are welcome to contact us. If you have any comments and/or questions about this article, please visit: https://www.cps.bureauveritas.com and click HERE for more technical news updates or webinars like this.