Section 104(b)(1) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires the CPSC to promulgate rulemaking for durable infant or toddler products. Implementing that Congressional instruction, CPSC published in the Federal Register (77 FR 66703) a final rule that codifies the regulation for infant swings (the regulation was updated on May 30, 2024, to include cradle swings) at 16 C.F.R. part 1223 and incorporates by reference ASTM F2088, with any modifications by CPSC. 16 C.F.R. § 1223.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2088 that is mandatory as well as any modifications. See the “Previous Versions of the Standard” section below for effective dates.
ASTM F2088 defines various different types of swings:
- A “combination swing” is “a swing that has a cradle swing use, mode, or position and an infant swing use, mode, or position”
- A “cradle swing” is “a swing which is intended for use by an infant lying flat to swing or glide and is intended for use with infants from birth until infant begins to push up on hands and knees (approximately 5 months)”
- An “infant swing” is “a swing that enables an infant in a seated position to swing or glide and is intended for use with infants from birth until infant attempts to climb out of the swing (approximately 9 months)”
- A “travel swing” is “a low-profile, compact infant, cradle, or combination swing having a distance of 6 in. or less between the underside of the seat bottom and the support surface (floor) at any point in the seat’s range of motion”
The scope of the standard applies to swings that use a powered mechanism for the motion and provide a swinging or gliding seat in any direction.
The requirements for infant and cradle swings are as follows:
- General requirements
- Hazardous sharp points and edges – see also 16 C.F.R. §§ 1500.3(b)(4)(i)(D) and 1500.3(b)(15)(i)(A)
- Small parts – see also our small parts business guidance page
- Lead – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Latching or locking mechanisms
- Openings
- Exposed coil springs
- Labeling
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Cradle swings
- Performance requirements
- Electrically powered swings
- Structural integrity
- Stability test
- Unintentional folding
- Restraint system
- Passive crotch restraint system
- Cradle swing orientation
- Seat angles for swings with removable tray/armbar or without tray/armbar
- Tethered strap accessibility for non-occupants
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
Labeling
Per 16 CFR § 1130.4, the following information must be permanently affixed to durable infant or toddler products in English:
- Name of domestic manufacturer or importer
- Contact information (must include US address and phone number, toll-free if available)
- Model name/number
- Product identification number may be used as an identifying feature instead
- Date of manufacture
- Date must be at least month and year, and it can be stated in code form
This labeling requirement is in addition to the tracking label requirement for children’s products. This page summarizes the labeling requirements for durable infant or toddler products.
Registration Form
Product registration forms are required for all durable infant and toddler products to enable the manufacturer or retailer of the product to contact consumers with recall or other safety information. For more information, visit our registration forms business guidance page.
Previous Versions of the Standard
15 U.S.C. § 2056a(b)(4)(B) requires the CPSC to evaluate any updates to an incorporated ASTM standard for durable infant or toddler products to determine whether the revised standard improves the safety of the product. Firms must ensure that the product is tested to the Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2088 depending on its date of manufacture:
Manufactured after... | Must meet... |
---|---|
September 14, 2024 | ASTM F2088-24 |
January 1, 2023 | ASTM F2088-22 |
January 29, 2022 | ASTM F2088-21 |
April 3, 2021 | ASTM F2088-20 |
October 7, 2013 | ASTM F2088-13 |
May 7, 2013 | ASTM F2088-12a with modifications; see 77 FR 66703 |
Certification
Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) requires manufacturers and importers of children’s products subject to a regulation, standard, or ban enforced by the CPSC to certify that those products meet the requirements of the standard by issuing a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). For infant and cradle swings, the citation to use in section 2 of the CPC is “16 CFR part 1223 – Infant and cradle swings”.
For more information on certification, visit our CPC business guidance page.
Additional Information
- Infant and cradle swings FAQs
- Durable infant or toddler product business guidance page
- Registration forms business guidance page
Contact
- SBO contact form
- Toll-free: (888) 531-9070
- Email: SBO@cpsc.gov