The regulation seeks to address incidents associated with children’s folding chairs and children’s folding stools, including, but not limited to, pinching, finger injuries, and tip-overs due to instability.
The regulation was originally published at 82 FR 59505 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1232. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F2613, and 16 C.F.R. § 1232.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2613 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 children’s folding chair is seating furniture, which can be folded for transport or storage, with a rigid frame that is intended to be used as a support for the body, limbs, or feet or a child when sitting or resting in an upright or reclining position.
A children’s folding stool is a children’s chair without a back or armrests, which can be folded for transport or storage.
The requirements for children's folding chairs and children's folding stools are as follows:
- General requirements
- Wood parts
- 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
- Paint and surface coating– see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Flammable solids
- Toys - any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children's toys
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Products that fold
- Circular holes in rigid materials
- Labeling
- Protective components
- Strength requirements
- Stability
- Performance requirements
- Locking mechanism test
- Permanency of labels and warnings
- Removal of protective components
- Static load and fatigue testing
- Stability test method
- Latching and locking mechanism
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2613 as well as any modifications referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1232.2. 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.