CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

USA: CPSC publishes mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails

JULY 2023 - HARDLINES

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has determined that there is an unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with entrapment and other hazards from adult portable bed rails (APBRs). 

To address the risk, on 21 July 2023, the Commission published¹ a mandatory standard for adult portable bed rails codified in 16 CFR 1270 to incorporate by reference ASTM’s 2017 version of the voluntary standard with modifications.

The rule will become effective 21 August 2023.

The new mandatory standard adopts the ASTM F3186-17² standard with the following key modifications: 
• Provide additional definitions for “entrapment zone”, “initial assembly”, “initial installation” and “installation component”
• Improve requirements for manufacturers to inform the consumer of the range of mattress thicknesses to ensure the safe use of the product and to provide testers with guidance for selecting the correct mattress thickness during the test setup.
• Update the requirements for entrapment testing to be consistent with known hazards.
• Update the Warning statement in Sections 9.2.5 and 9.2.7.

ASTM F3186-17 describes “portable bed rails and related products” as products installed by consumers and ‘‘not designed as part of the bed by the bed manufacturer.’’ Generally, APBRs within CPSC’s jurisdiction include products that are installed or used alongside a bed by consumers and are intended to reduce the risk of falling from the bed, assist the consumer in repositioning in the bed, or assist the consumer in transitioning into or out of the bed.

Manufacturers would have to issue a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC) for each APBR model, certifying that the product complies with the final rule once it is in effect.

According to the anti-stockpiling provision, manufacturers and importers are prohibited from producing or importing APBRs that do not comply with the requirement between 21 July 2023, and 21 August 2023, at a rate that is greater than 105 percent of the rate at which they manufactured or imported APBRs during the base period for the manufacturer or importer.

[1] Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 139 / Friday, 21 July 2023

[2] ASTM F3186-17

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS.

TÜV SÜD has dedicated experts to assist you in the development of consumer products and meeting applicable regulations. Through a global network of laboratories, TÜV SÜD offers a wide range of services that includes chemical tests, physical or mechanical tests as well as inspections to ensure the compliance of your products in target markets. 

For enquiries, please contact us at [email protected]