USA: ASTM publishes new infant bathers standard – ASTM F3343-19
FEBRUARY 2019 - Relevant for: TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS
On 15 February 2019, ASTM published a new safety standard - ASTM F3343-191, which provides safety and labeling requirements for Infant Bathers.
Topics to note:
- The standard was developed by CPSC to address certain fatal and non-fatal incidents associated with the use of infant bathers.
- As defined by the standard - an Infant Bather is a stand-alone product intended to provide support for an occupant who cannot sit upright unassisted (approximately 0 to 6 months) in a reclining position during bathing by a caregiver but not intended to retain water.
- In addition, the standard includes:
- Generally, an infant bather is used in an adult tub or in or next to a sink.
- The standard provides the following requirements:
- General Requirements
- No hazardous sharp points or edges
- No small part choking hazards
- Any paint or surface coating must comply with 16 CFR 1303
- Resistance to collapse
- No scissoring/shearing/pinching hazards
- No finger entrapment hazards associated with openings in any rigid materials
- Protective components shall not yield any hazards
- Warning label permanency requirements
- Product must comply with requirements set forth within the CPSIA
- Toy components must meet Toy Safety Standard ASTM F963
- Performance Requirements
- Restraint system
- Structural integrity
- Specific requirements for suction cups
- Disassembly/collapse while lifting
- Stability
- Fabric/mesh integrity
- In addition, the standard includes:
- All applicable Test Methods
- Marking and Labeling Requirements
- Instructions Literature Requirements
[1] 1. ASTM F3343-19