CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

USA: CPSC updates safety standard for children’s folding chairs and stools

APRIL 2020 – RELEVANT FOR: HARDLINES, CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

On 1 April 2020, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a direct final rule¹ revising the mandatory safety standard for children’s folding chairs and stools to incorporate the latest version of applicable standard ASTM F2613-19² without modification. The rule will become effective on 6 July 2020 if no significant adverse comment received by 1 May 2020.

ASTM F2613 applies to children’s folding chairs and stools with a seat height of 15 inches or less, equipped with or without a rocking base. These chairs are intended to be used by a single child who can get in and out of the product unassisted. 

The standard ASTM F2613-19 requires products without latching and locking mechanisms must have a hinge gap greater than or equal to 1⁄2-inch, which simplifies the original one in previous version. Such adequate hinge clearance provides protection for the fingers, hands, and toes from crushing or laceration. 

Requirements of products with latching and locking mechanisms under section 5.8.1 has been restructured to improve clarity and organization. If a product is designed with a single action release mechanism, the latching and locking mechanisms shall not release and remain operative when tested in accordance with the newly added force test method under section 6.9.

[2] ASTM F2613-19