TOYS & JUVENILE PRODUCTS

NO. 190/15

On 9 November, 2015, under direction of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSIA) section 104(b), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposed a notice of rulemaking (NPL) for a safety standard for high chairs [1] to be codified under 16 CFR 1231. The proposed rule would incorporate by reference, ASTM F404-15, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs in this new regulation.

The Commission may introduce more stringent requirements for rearward stability, as well as additional warnings on labels and instructional literature, to the existing ASTM voluntary standard if approved. This NPR also proposes to amend 16 CFR part 1112 to add 16 CFR Part 1231 once it becomes a Final Rule (FR).

Definition of 'High Chair':

ASTM F404-15 defines a 'high chair' as 'a free standing chair for a child up to 3 years of age which has a seating surface more than 15 in. above the floor and elevates the child normally for the purposes of feeding or eating.' The ASTM standard further specifies that a high chair may be sold with or without a tray, have adjustable heights, and recline for infants.

The CPSC is inviting and accepting comments from the public and interested parties until January 25, 2016.

The Commission reported 1,296 incidents related to high chairs that occurred between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2014.

SGS has dedicated experts and services to assist you in the development of juvenile products and childcare articles. We offer physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests, packaging evaluation, inspections to ensure the compliance of your products in target markets. The JPMA has selected SGS as the Principal Laboratory and Program Administrator due to its expertise and experience in quality, compliance and safety in the child care products industry around the world. 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

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