ASTM Releases Safety Standard for Infant and Toddler Rockers

FAIRFIELD, N.J. - Aug. 20, 2014 - PRLog -- This safety standard is intended to minimize the risk of injury to an occupant and is designated ASTM F3084-14 (1).

Infant and Toddler Rockers – Definition

ASTM defines an infant rocker or infant/ toddler rocker as “a freestanding product intended to support an occupant in a seated, reclined position and to facilitate rocking by the occupant with the aid of a caregiver or by other means. Intended occupants for infant rockers are infants who have not developed the ability to sit up unassisted (approximately 0 to 6 months of age), and infant/toddler rockers have an extended use with occupants until toddler age (approximately 2 ½ years of age)”.

New Requirements under Safety Standards for Toddler Rockers

General Requirements:

- No hazardous Sharp Points and Edges as defined by 16 CFR 1500.48 and 16 CFR 1500.49.

- No Small Parts as defined by 16 CFR 1501.

- Lead in paints and surface coatings must comply with 16 CFR 1303.

- Exposed wood parts must be smooth and free from splinters.

- Locking device shall remain engaged to prevent unintentional folding.

- Must prevent injury to the occupant from any scissoring and shearing action of components.

- Holes or slots that extend entirely through a wall section of any rigid material must meet the requirements of the standard.

- There must be no entrapment hazard associated with coil springs.

- Gaps between protective components shall not yield any hazards.

- All labels and warning statements must be permanent.

The infant/ toddler rockers must meet the following Performance Requirements as specified in ASTM F3084-14:

- Seat Angles

- Restraint System

- Stability

- Static Slip Resistance

- Structural Integrity

- Disassembly/Collapse

- Toy Bar Attachment Integrity

The following information must be provided to meet the requirements for Marking and Labeling:

Each product and its retail package shall be marked or labeled clearly, legibly and permanently. The name of the manufacturer, distributor or seller, and place of business (city, state, and mailing address, including zip code) must be provided on the product and its packaging as applicable.

The labeling must include a code to identify the date of manufacture.

Each item must be labeled with warning statement and safety alert symbol

Assembly instructions, maintenance, cleaning and adjustment information must be included.

Although not included in this new ASTM F3084-14 standard, it is foreseeable that Infant/Toddler rockers may be classified as “Durable Infant Products” under the CPSIA, in which case, retail packaging will be required to include a consumer registration form as defined in the CPSIA Section 104(d).

In addition, as a ‘children’s product’ and potentially a ‘childcare article’ as defined under the CPSIA, infant/toddler rockers are required to comply with the applicable requirements of the CPSIA even if not specifically included in the new ASTM F3084-14 standard.

References:

(1) ASTM F3084-14 standard (http://www.astm.org/)

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