The regulation seeks to minimize the risk of deaths and injuries associated with the use of infant walkers, including those related to falls down stairs, falls between flooring levels, or tipping over.
The regulation was originally published at 75 FR 35266 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1216. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F977, and 16 CFR § 1216.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F977 that is mandatory.
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
An infant walker is “a mobile unit that enables a child to move on a horizontal surface when propelled by the child sitting or standing within the walker”.
The requirements for infant walkers per ASTM F977 are as follows:
- General requirements
- Wood parts
- Latching or locking mechanisms
- Openings
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Exposed coil springs
- Labeling
- Protective components
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Performance requirements
- Stability
- Structural Integrity
- Prevention of falls down step(s)
- Parking device (applicable to walkers equipped with parking brakes)
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the version latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F977 as referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1216.2. 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 children’s products 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. 16 C.F.R. § 1500.87 addresses determination of accessibility for the purposes of the total lead content rule.
- 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 to 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.