U.S. – CPSC Issues a Direct Final Rule for Baby Changing Products

Vol. 1300 | 09 May 2022

On April 26^th, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct final rule (DFR) that will amend 16 CFR 1235 – Safety Standard for Baby Changing Products, making ASTM F2388-21, Standard Consumer Specification for Baby Changing Products for Domestic Use, mandatory safety standard. Currently, 16 CFR1235 - Safety Standard for Baby Changing Products mandates that baby changing products meet the requirements in ASTM F2388-18 standard. The final rule incorporates ASTM F2388-21 by reference without modifications.

Products covered under this standard include:

• Changing Tables – an elevated, freestanding structure generally designed to support and retain a child with a bodyweight of up to 30 lb. (13.6 kg) in a horizontal position for the purpose of allowing a caregiver to change the child’s diaper. Changing tables may convert from or to other items of furniture, such as but not limited to, a dresser, desk, hutch, bookshelf, or play yard, may have pull-out or drop-down changing surfaces, and may provide storage for diapers and diaper products.
• Changing Table Accessory – an accessory that attaches to a crib or plays yard designed to convert the product into a changing table typically having a rigid frame with soft fabric or mesh sides or bottom surface, or both.
• Add-On Changing Unit – a rigid addition to or separate product used in conjunction with an item of furniture that provides barriers to prevent the infant from rolling off the product when a diaper is being changed.
• Contoured Changing Pads – a contoured pad specifically designed for the purpose of changing the diaper of a child with a bodyweight of up to 30 lb. (13.6 kg) on an elevated surface. The child is placed on the pad during the process of changing.

This rule will become effective on July 31, 2022, if there is no significant adverse comment received by the CPSC by May 26, 2022.

The final rule can be viewed at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2022-04-26/pdf/2022-08804.pdf

For questions, please contact  Matthew Nudell (matthew.nudell@intertek.com, +1 716-225-9006) or Pratik Ichhaporia (pratik.ichhaporia@intertek.com, +1 847 212 8273).