CPSC Approves Publication of Mandatory Standard for Baby Walkers
On May 26, 2010, the Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission unanimously approved publication of a final rule establishing a mandatory standard for infant walkers.
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CPSC Must Issue Mandatory Standards for Durable Infant/Toddler Products
The final rule addresses the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requirement that CPSC issue mandatory safety standards for durable infant and toddler products that are substantially the same as or more stringent than the applicable voluntary standard or are more stringent than the current mandatory standard, as necessary. These standards must be issued every six months on a range of infant/toddler products.
ASTM F 977-07 Baby Walker Standard Will Become Mandatory, with Changes
The approved final rule will adopt the currently voluntary industry standard, ASTM F 977-07, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Walkers, with certain changes to strengthen it. According to a CPSC press release, these changes include:
- using the actual weight of a walker in a calculation to determine the launching distance for the stair fall test,
- specifying equipment used in the stair fall test,
- adding a parking brake test for walkers equipped with parking brakes.
Applies to Walkers Manufactured/Imported Six Months After Rule’s Publication
The final rule will take effect six months after its publication in the Federal Register and will apply to infant walkers manufactured or imported on or after that date.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 09/03/09 news, 09090320, for BP summary of the proposed rule.)