CPSC Proposes New Safety Standard for Frame Child Carriers
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is proposing a new safety standard for frame child carriers. The mandatory standard would be based on the voluntary standard developed by ASTM International, F2549-14 (“Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Frame Child Carriers”), the only difference being the CPSC would add specific requirements that frame child carriers pass tests related to the carrier’s restraints. Comments on the proposed rule are due July 30.
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CPSC would define the “frame child carrier” as “’a product normally of sewn fabric construction on a tubular metal or other frame, which is designed to carry a child, in an upright position, on the back of the caregiver.’ The intended occupants of frame child carriers are children who are able to sit upright unassisted and weigh between 16 and 50 pounds. Frame child carriers are intended to be worn on the back and suspended from both shoulders of the caregiver’s body in a forward- or rear-facing position. This type of carrier is often used for hiking and typically closely resembles hiking/mountaineering backpacks not intended to be used for transporting children.”
CPSC says it knows of 15 companies that currently supply frame child carriers to the U.S. market. Out of those 15 companies, eight of those are importers and two are foreign manufacturers, it said.
The ASTM standard is copyrighted, but the standard can be viewed during the comment period of this proposed rule (here). Any final rule would take effect six months after publication in the Federal Register, said CPSC.
(Federal Register 05/16/14)