SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance : US CPSC Proposes New Federal Safety Standard for Children's Folding Chairs and Stools 16 CFR 1232

On 19 October, 2015 the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed a safety standard rule [1] for children's folding chairs and stools in response to the direction under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA. This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) proposes to amend 16 CFR Part 1112 to add 16 CFR Part 1232 once it becomes a Final Rule (FR). The proposed rule is based on the current voluntary ASTM F2613-14, Standard for Children's Chairs and Stools with several modifications.

The Commission has invited comments from the public and stakeholders that can be submitted until 4 January, 2016.

Product Description:

ASTM F2613-14 defines a 'children's chair' as 'seating furniture with a rigid frame that is intended to be used as a support for the body, limbs, or feet of a child when sitting or resting in an upright or reclining position.' A 'children's stool' is defined as a 'children's chair without back, or armrest.' ASTM further defines 'folding chair' and 'folding stool' as 'a children's chair or stool which can be folded for transport or storage.' The Commission proposes to limit the scope of the mandatory standard to folding chairs and folding stools because the hazards presented by folding chairs and folding stools are different from non-folding chairs and stools.

Incident Reported:

During the period of January 1, 2003 through December 31, 2014, the CPSC received 98 injuries reports, 45 non-injury incidents, and another 39 complaints associated with children's folding chairs or stools. Only one of the reported incidents involved a folding stool, while the remainder involved folding chairs. There were no fatalities reported in the data. The hazard pattern is identified as follows:

Modification Recommendation:

Although the CPSC believes that ASTM F2613-14 adequately addresses many of the general hazards associated with durable nursery products including the majority of the above reported incidents associated with folding chairs and folding stools, the Commission is proposing the following:

1. Change the warning and labeling requirements to further reduce the risk of injury associated with folding chairs and stools.
2. Change the stability test method in ASTM F2613-14 to include a sideways stability test method, in addition to rearward stability testing, to reduce the number of tip-over-related incidents for folding chairs and folding stools
3. Strengthen the warning and labeling requirements for finger amputation hazards
4. Improve the existing warning labels in the 2014 version of the ASTM F2613 standard in terms of content and format:

• Conspicuousness of the label
• Communicating the safety message more clearly
• Motivating behaviour changes

SGS has dedicated experts and services to assist you in the development of juvenile products and childcare articles. SGS offers physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests, packaging evaluation, inspections to ensure the compliance of your products in target markets. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or visit our website.

For enquiries, please contact:

Ali Karimi
Director, Technical Services, Hardgoods
t: +001 973-461-7928

© SGS Group Management SA - 2015- All rights reserved - SGS is a registered trademark of SGS Group Management SA. This is a publication of SGS, except for 3rd parties' contents submitted or licensed for use by SGS. SGS neither endorses nor disapproves said 3rd parties contents. This publication is intended to provide technical information and shall not be considered an exhaustive treatment of any subject treated. It is strictly educational and does not replace any legal requirements or applicable regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. The information contained herein is provided 'as is' and SGS does not warrant that it will be error-free or will meet any