Hand Held Infant Carriers
The regulation seeks to minimize the risk of child deaths and injuries associated with the use of hand-held infant carriers outside of a motor vehicle, specifically incidents related to handle strength and integrity, restraint use, carrier tip over, and falls from elevated surfaces.
The regulation was originally published at 78 FR 73415 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1225. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F2050, and 16 C.F.R. § 1225.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2050 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 hand-held infant carrier is a freestanding, rigid or semi-rigid-sided product intended to carry an occupant, whose torso is completely supported by the product, to facilitate transportation by a caregiver by means of handholds or handles.
There are two categories of hand-held infant carriers: hand-held infant carrier seats and hand-held bassinets/cradles. The former often double as an automotive child restraint system (i.e., car seat). The second category, hand-held bassinets/cradles, are carriers designed for the occupant to lie flat, to facilitate sleeping.
The requirements for frame child carriers 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
- Paints and similar surface coatings – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Openings
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Exposed coil springs
- Labeling
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Protective components
- Performance requirements
- Carry handle auto-locking
- Carrying handle integrity
- Retention system
- Slip resistance
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2050 as well as any modifications referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1225.2. 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 to 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.