U.S. – CPSC Approves 16 CFR 1234 Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs

Vol. 956 | 07 Apr 2017

As part of the rulemaking process required by Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has unanimously approved the new federal regulation 16 CFR 1234 Safety Standard for Infant Bath Tubs. The approved rule incorporates by reference the existing ASTM standard, ASTM F2670 – 17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bath Tubs, without any modifications, as the ASTM subcommittee F15.20 had reviewed and adopted the modifications recommended by the CPSC in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Infant Bath Tubs, in the updated ASTM F2670-17 standard.

The CPSC staff has indicated intent to address the bathing accessories sold with or intended for use with the bath tubs, such as bath slings, within the 16 CFR 1234 rule. The ASTM subcommittee F15.20 is working to finalize the requirements and the test methods for such products.

An “Infant Bath Tub” as defined in the ASTM standard is “a tub, enclosure, or other similar product intended to hold water and be placed into an adult bath tub, sink, or on top of other surfaces to provide support or containment, or both, for an infant in a reclining, sitting, or standing position during bathing by a caregiver.” The scope of products covered includes:

• Bucket style upright tubs
• Inflatable tubs
• Folding tubs
• Tubs with spa features such as whirlpools and handheld shower attachments

Key safety issues addressed by the ASTM F2670-17 standard include:

• Passive restraint requirements
• Suction cup performance requirements
• Requirements for the toys attached to the bath tubs
• Scissoring, shearing and pinching requirements
• Resistance to collapse during use
• Warnings and instructional literature for caregiver education & awareness

The approved rule becomes effective six months after its publication in the Federal Register, on October 2, 2017. Infant bath tubs manufactured on and after this date will be required to meet the 16 CFR 1234 requirements.

The final rule can be viewed at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-03-30/pdf/2017-06270.pdf

A copy of the ASTM F2670-17 standard can be purchased from: https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2670.htm

 

For questions, please contact Laxmi Ravikumar (laxmi.ravikumar@intertek.com, +1-630-209-9265)