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USA: CPSC updated safety standard for infant bath tubs

JUNE 2022 - TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a direct final rule¹ updating the federal mandatory safety standard for infant bath tubs to incorporate by reference the latest version of the voluntary standard ASTM F2670‑22² with no modifications. This direct final rule for infant bath tubs, which is codified in 16 CFR Part 1234, will apply from 24 September 2022 unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comments by 25 July 2022.

In 2017, the Commission adopted the voluntary standard ASTM F2670-17 as a mandatory safety standard for infant bath tubs. A revised version of the voluntary standard was published in 2018, and the Commission adopted that revised standard.

In March 2022, ASTM notified CPSC of revisions to the voluntary standard for infant bath tubs. Revisions to the standard include new marking, labelling, warning, and instructional requirements addressing battery-powered infant bath tubs. More importantly, this version contains revisions to the language in the standard describing latching and locking mechanisms or other means that prevent the product from folding or collapsing in a manner that puts the occupant at risk of injury by falling out of the product or being subjected to contact or pressure by-product components.

[1]  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 121, 24 June 2022

[2]  ASTM F2670-22, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bath Tubs