The consumer product safety commission (CPSC) issued a notice for collection of information regarding crib bumpers on Feb 16, 2016. Interested parties can submit comments by April 18, 2016.

Summary

The commission is seeking information for the safety benefits of crib bumpers, whether safety hazards are associated with crib bumpers, existing safety standards that apply to crib bumpers, and potential performance requirement, testing, and other standards that may reduce the risk of injury, if any, associated with crib.

Background

On May 9, 2012, JPMA filed a petition requesting CPSC initiate rulemaking to create a performance standard for crib bumpers to distinguish ” hazardous soft pillow-like” crib bumpers from “traditional” crib bumpers. CPSC have granted the petition and adopted a broader framework than JPMA requested. To determine the need for and appropriate scope of such rulemaking, the commission is investigating whether crib bumpers pose a safety hazard to infants and, if so, what performance standards or requirements could mitigate that risk.

BACL Suggestion

There is no existing regulation, mandatory standard and ban for cribbumpers in US, the current U.S. voluntary standard covering crib bumpers is ASTM F1917-12: Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Related Accessories. After considering all comments received in response to this notice, a rule regarding crib bumpers is most likely to be issued by CPSC. Every company which export crib bumpers to US should pay close attention to relevant notice thereafter issued by CPSC.