CONSUMER PRODUCTS AND RETAIL E-SSENTIALS

USA: CPSC open letter regarding clothing storage units

MARCH 2019 - Relevant for: Hardlines

On 27 February 2019, the Deputy Executive Director for U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued an open letter¹ to Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers of Clothing Storage Units.

• The letter urges the Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, and Retailers of Clothing Storage Units to comply with all the voluntary safety standards within and referenced by ASTM F2057-17²

• The letter is in response to numerous reported child fatalities between 2007 and 2017 because of clothing storage unit tip overs.

• The letter also warns that Clothing Storage Units found to not comply with ASTM F2057-17 would regard such products as having a defect which could present a substantial product hazard under Section 15(a) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. § 2064(a)³ and therefore, CPSC would initiate an investigation and seek the corrective action.

[1] CPSC issued an open letter

[2] ASTM F2057-17

[3] Section 15(a) of the CPSA, 15 U.S.C. § 2064(a)