CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

Canada: Consultation on Proposed Amendments to the Carriages and Strollers Regulations

APRIL 2021 - HARDLINES, TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

Health Canada is collecting feedback regarding the proposal¹ to amend the Carriages and Strollers Regulations. The consultation will be available for 45 days, between 3 May 2021 and 17 June 2021.

Carriages and strollers are wheeled vehicles designed to transport infants and children. The Carriages and Strollers Regulations² was last amended in 2016, which include design, performance, and labelling requirements intended to minimise or eliminate hazards associated with carriages and strollers. 

In this consultation, proposed amendments to the Regulations are highlighted below.

1. Mechanical

Replacing the current mechanical requirements with one of the two following options:

• By requiring compliance to the mechanical requirements from ASTM F833-19; or
• By requiring compliance with at least one of:
  
  • the mechanical requirements from ASTM F833-19; or
    the mechanical requirements from ISO 31110:2020, and in addition, the entrapment requirements from ASTM F833-19 sections 6.8 and 6.10;

2. Surface coating materials

Amending the Regulations to remove references to the Toys Regulations, and make the requirements directly in the legal text. Limits and requirements remain unchanged. Any method that conforms to good laboratory practices can be employed for testing.

3. Toxicological hazards

Maintaining these requirements by incorporating them directly into the text of the amended Regulations.

4. Phthalates requirements

Introducing compliance for vinyl parts of a carriage or stroller under the Phthalates Regulations.

5. Information and warnings

Consider provide flexibility on the content of the information and warning requirements of the Regulations by allowing potential alignment with ASTM F833-19 or ISO 31110:2020. However, the official languages must be written in both English and French.

Health Canada is also seeking comments from stakeholders regarding the 6-month transition period proposal, if it is an appropriate length for adopting the changes.

[1]  Health Canada’s Consultation

[2]  The Carriages and Strollers Regulations, SOR/2016-167