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USA: CPSC mandates standard ASTM F2012-18e1 for stationary activity centers

JUNE 2019 - Relevant for: Toys and children's products

On 18 June 2019, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a Notice of final rule 16 CFR 1238¹ for safety standard for stationary activity centers (SACs), one year after the issue of the notice of proposed rulemaking². This final rule incorporates ASTM F2012-18^e1 as the mandatory standard for SACs with no modifications.

In addition, the rule has also amended 16 CFR 1112, the regulations for third party conformity assessment bodies, by including the safety standard for SACs in the list of notices of requirements (NORs).

This rule will take effect from 18 December 2019. SACs manufactured or imported on or after the effective date shall comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F2012-18^e1.

A SAC is defined as a freestanding product intended to remain stationary that enables a sitting or standing occupant whose torso is completely surrounded by the product to walk, rock, play, spin or bounce, or all of these, within a limited range of motion. The intended users are children who are not yet able to walk, but able to hold up their heads unassisted.

There are many incident reports indicating that children were injured due to various problems such as failed spring and strap, unsafe toy accessories, and poor structural integrity of SACs. The standard ASTM F2012-18^e1, which was first published in 2000, is developed to address the hazards associated with SACs. The standard³ contains test methods and safety requirements including sharp edges and points, small parts, spring failures, stability, etc. It also contains requirements for warnings and instructional literature.

[1] Final Rule regarding 16 CFR 1238

[2] Newsletter of proposed rulemaking for stationary activity centers, June 2018

[3] ASTM F2012-18e1