Play Yards
The regulation seeks to prevent the risk of death and injury from falls, entrapment, suffocation, or escape, due to parts failure, dislodgment, or mis-assembly of the play yard and play yard accessories.
The regulation was originally published at 84 FR 56684 and codified at 16 C.F.R. Part 1221. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F406, and 16 C.F.R. § 1221.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F406 that is mandatory as well as any potential modifications.
A play yard is a framed enclosure that includes a floor and has mesh or fabric sides. Play yards are intended for use in or around the home, for travel, and other purposes. Play yards provide sleeping and playing accommodation for a child who cannot climb out and is less than 35 in. (890 mm) in height. Inflatable play yards are not covered by the regulation. Play yards are similar to, but should not be confused with, non-full-size baby cribs; play yards have non-rigid sides.
Play yards that contain bassinet attachments must meet the play yard requirements and the bassinet requirements.
The requirements for play yards per ASTM F406 are as follows:
- General requirements
- Corner posts
- 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 in paints – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Flammable solids
- Scissoring, shearing, or pinching
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Latching and locking mechanisms
- Openings
- Protective components
- Labeling
- Stability
- Cord/strap length
- Coil springs
- Entrapment in accessories
- Mattress
- Protrusions
- Bassinet/cradle accessories – missing accessory attachment components
- Performance requirements
- Height of sides
- Side deflection and strength
- Floor strength
- Top rail covering material
- Mesh requirements
- Fabric material requirements
- Mesh/fabric assembly requirements
- Mattress vertical displacement
- Top rail configuration
- Top rail to corner post attachment
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F406 as referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1221.2. Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
Instructions should specify that only the mattress supplied with the play yard should be used to prevent head entrapment and suffocation between the mattress, sides, and floor structure. The manufacturer’s instructions should emphasize the importance of securing the mattress to the play yard floor.
CPSC staff also advises consumers of play yards not to use supplemental mattresses because supplemental mattresses may create a gap and lead to an entrapment hazard.
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 the 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.