Business Guidance FAQ

The regulation addresses many of the general hazards associated with the use of crib mattresses, such as sharp points and sharp edges; small parts; lead and other toxic substances in paints; finger entrapment; mattress dimension conformity; mattress thickness; mattress compatibility and marking and labeling. The rule includes additional requirements to address suffocation due to overly soft mattresses, entrapment because of poor mattress fits, laceration(s) from exposed coil springs, and labeling to address suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 

All of the 139 deaths reported in CPSC's crib mattress final rule are potentially related to mattress compatibility factors (such as firmness, fit, thickness, floor structure, etc.) that are now required for compliance with the standard and the safety of children in the United States.

The regulation was originally published at 87 FR 8640 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1241. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F2933, and 16 C.F.R. § 1241.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2933 that is mandatory as well as any modifications.

Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.

Crib mattresses within scope of 16 CFR part 1241 include full-size crib mattresses, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) non-full-size crib mattresses (provided with the crib), and after-market mattresses for play yards and non-full-size cribs (sold separately from the crib or play yard). 

A “mattress” is “ticking filled with a resilient material used alone or in combination with other products intended or promoted for sleeping on it”. Further:

• A full-size crib is a crib with dimensions of 52⅜ in. ± ⅝ in. (1330 mm ± 16 mm) by 28 in. ± ⅝ in. (711 mm ± 16 mm).
• A non-full size crib is a crib with interior length dimensions either greater than 55 in. (1397 mm) or smaller than 49¾ in. (1264 mm), or an interior width dimension either greater than 30⅝ in. (778 mm) or smaller than 25⅜ in. (645 mm), or both.
• 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.

The general requirements for crib mattresses are as follows:

• 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
• Surface coatings – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
• Openings
• Labeling
• Mattress dimensions
• Mattress seam stitching
• After-market mattress for play yard
• Mattress firmness
• Coil springs

The following table summarizes the requirements for each category of crib mattress:

¹ Only sections for Stability, Cord/Strap Length, Mattresses for Rigid Sided Products, and Crib Side Height. 

² Only sections for Stability, Cord/Strap Length, Mattresses, Height of Sides, Floor Strength, and Mattress Vertical Displacement. For aftermarket mattresses intended to be used in a bassinet of a play yard with a bassinet attachment, the mattress must ALSO meet sections for Pad Thickness for Fabric or Mesh Sided Products, Pad Dimensions, Side Height, and Bassinets with Segmented mattresses of 16 C.F.R. 1218. 

³ Must be the same size as the original mattress or larger and lay flat on the floor of the product, in contact with the product mattress support structure or floor. Must include certain features present on the original equipment mattress for each crib or play yard model it is intended to be used with: floor support structure (e.g. backing-board or other structure integrated into the mattress) that is at least as thick as in the original mattress and equivalent storage accommodations (e.g. pocket, sleeve, or other accommodations) for instructions. Must include all original warnings included with the original equipment mattress, in addition to those required by ASTM F2933, and assembly/attachment instructions that were provided with the original mattress. Testing must be conducted with each intended compatible crib or play yard, CPSC will consider marketing materials when determining intended use. Generic compatibility based on a size measurement cannot meet these requirements.

⁴ Must include test-verified compatible model information for the product in which the mattress is intended to be used, located on retail packaging, product label(s), and all instructions. CPSC will consider marketing materials when determining intended use.

Some tests require that: 

1. Mattresses that are supplied with a product shall be tested when positioned in that product; 
2. Full-size crib mattresses sold independent of a product shall be tested on a flat, rigid, horizontal support; and
3. After-market mattresses for play yards shall be tested with each brand and model of product for which the mattress is intended to be used.

Yes. There are general requirements for mattresses, child-care articles, and durable infant or toddler products that apply: 

• Flammability: Mattresses must not create a char length greater than 2 in. (5.1 cm) during the smoldering test. Mattresses also must not release a peak rate of heat exceeding 200 kW at any time during the 30-minute open flame test and a total head exceeding 15 MJ for the first 10 minutes of the test. There are also labeling and recordkeeping requirements that apply to mattresses.
• 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.

When purchasing an aftermarket mattress, consumers should look for specific compatibility statements in the marketing and on product labels citing the specific model cribs or play yards that the mattress fits. 

Consumers should be aware that continued use of aftermarket mattresses in non-compatible sleep products or in use as a topper or supplemental padding presents a significant hazard to your child.  Do not use a mattress in your product without confirming its specific compatibility. If your product was manufactured after August 2022 and lacks specific compatibility information or if your play yard or crib is not included on the label, do not purchase or use the product.  If you previously purchased the product and identify that it is not specifically compatible, remove the product immediately. It is not safe for your child. 

Consumers are also reminded to not purchase or use supplemental padding in these sleep spaces.

CPSC may name the original brand or manufacturer of a compatible crib or play yard when it is necessary to identify the product or limit the scope of a specific action.  For example, if an aftermarket mattress is compatible with one model but not others, CPSC may exclude mattresses in use with appropriately compatible cribs and/or play yards from our action.  In that scenario, CPSC would name the compatible modeled crib(s) and/or play yard(s) to accurately inform consumers on safe use.