High Chairs
The regulation seeks to minimize injuries to children resulting from normal usage and reasonably foreseeable misuse or abuse of high chairs. Specifically, this regulation attempts to minimize injuries to children associated with tray disengagement, falls resulting when children stand up on the seat of a high chair, entrapment between the tray and the seat, and tip-overs.
The regulation was originally published at 83 FR 28358 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1231. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F404, and 16 C.F.R. § 1231.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F404 that is mandatory as well as any potential modifications.
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
A high chair is a freestanding chair for a child up to 3 years of age that has a seating surface more than 15 inches above the floor and elevates the child normally for the purposes or feeding or eating.
The requirements for high chairs are as follows:
- General requirements
- Compliance when used with conversion kits
- Threaded features
- 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
- Wood parts
- Latching or locking mechanisms
- Labeling
- Openings
- Toys - any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children's toys
- Paint and surface coating– see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Performance requirements
- Protective components
- Removable tray or front torso support performance integrity
- Tray or front torso support performance - pull test
- Static load
- Stability
- Exposed coil springs
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Restraint system
- Openings
- Structural Integrity
- Tray latch release mechanisms
- Side containment
- Protrusions
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F404 as well as any modifications referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1231.2. Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
Yes. There are general requirements for child care articles and durable infant or toddler products that apply:
- Small parts: Products intended for children under 3 years of age must not contain small parts or liberate small parts after use and abuse testing.
- Lead in paint and similar surface coatings: Children’s products must not bear paint and/or similar surface coatings that contain more than 0.009 percent (90 ppm) lead.
- Total lead content: Children’s products must not contain greater than 100 ppm (0.01 percent) of total lead content in any accessible component part.
- Phthalates: Children’s toys and child care articles as defined per 16 C.F.R. § 1307.2 must not contain greater than 0.1 percent (1000 ppm) of any regulated phthalate in any accessible plasticized component part.
- Third-party testing: Children’s products must be tested for compliance with applicable safety rules by a third-party, CPSC-accepted laboratory.
- Certification: Domestic manufacturers or importers of children’s products must generate a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) certifying compliance with applicable safety rules and ensures that a CPC accompanies the distribution of the product.
- Labeling: Children’s products must bear distinguishing, permanent marks on the product and any packaging (tracking label) that allow consumers to ascertain certain information. Durable infant or toddler products are required to have product markings in addition to the tracking label. This chart summarizes the specific labeling and registration requirements that durable infant and toddler products must meet.
- Registration form: Durable infant or toddler products must have a product registration form (also known as registration card) permanently attached to the product. There must also be an option to register via a website or, in the absence of a website, via email.