Adler and Kaye Call for More Work on Infant Carriers/Sleepers

CPSC Acting Chairman Robert Adler and Commissioner Elliot Kaye May 4 urge more attention to infant sleepers and carriers that fall outside exiting rules and standards. Their joint statement (bit.ly/2SK5bGy) referred to a 4-0 decision (PSL, 5/4/20) to update a Section 104 rule at 16 CFR 1225 to reflect updates in ASTM F2050-19 on hand-held infant carriers. They wrote (their emphasis):

"Although we voted for the direct final rule that incorporates this warning label exemption for hand-held bassinets/cradles, we write to make clear that we do not believe that all hand-held bassinets or cradles are necessarily safe for sleep, and that this rule should not be interpreted as such. Some hand-held bassinets/cradles that may be intended or marketed for infant sleep such as Moses baskets are not subject to a mandatory or voluntary standard specifically targeted at ensuring they are in fact safe for sleep. This is a problem that needs a holistic solution. It is our hope that ASTM and the CPSC staff will soon address these shortcomings by continuing their ongoing work on a mandatory standard for all infant sleep products."

The updates will become effective August 3 absent significant adverse comments within 30 days of Federal Register publication, which had not yet occurred as of May 8.