Rules To Reduce Childhood Chokings Proposed

Eighteen major categories of toys and other articles intended for very young children would have to pass a test designed to screen out small parts under proposed regulations approved today for publication by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The proposal is aimed at reducing risks of injury to children under three years of age. This age group is particularly susceptible to injuries and deaths from choking on, swallowing or inhaling small parts on toys.

The regulations would apply to such children's items as: squeeze toys, blocks, stuffed toys, teethers and crib exercisers. A more comprehensive list of product categories is attached.

Any item such as these would automatically be banned from sale because of its small size if it fit entirely into a truncated cylinder measuring 1-1/4 inches in diameter by 2-1/4 inches in depth.

Any part that came off a toy after it was given simulated rough treatment to see if it would break and expose a hazard would separately be subjected to testing with the cylinder. It too would be banned if it fit completely within the device.

According to CPSC staff, only a small portion of toys and other children's items would have to be redesigned to comply with the proposed regulations. In part, this is because the trade association Toy Manufacturers of America, New York City, has set voluntary standards that incorporate safety requirements similar to the proposal. TMA members produce about 90 percent of the dollar volume of all domestically sold toys.

The proposed rules would not cover items specifically intended only for use by children older than three years. Nor would they apply to all items that the very young group might have access to in the household.

Exempted from coverage under the proposal because of their utilitarian or educational value would be articles like children's clothing and accessories, modeling clay, fingerpaints, marbles, balloons and crayons.

If finalized, these newly proposed rules will join a series of other regulations designed to increase children's safety. These include: regulations to identify sharp points and edges on toys for children younger than age eight; safety requirements for pacifiers to prevent infant chokings and strangulation, and safety regulations for electrical toys. Also, a mandatory safety standard for full-size and nonfull-size cribs, a ban of any toys and furniture coated with paint containing more than 0.06 percent lead, and a ban on small baby rattles. CPSC staff is currently studying technical reports to examine possible regulation of projectile toys.

The rules for small parts on toys will shortly be published in the Federal Register for a 60-day comment period. The regulations will take effect 6-12 months after a final Federal Register notice is published. Comments should be sent to: Office of the Secretary, CPSC, 1111 -18th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20207.

Items that would be affected by the regulations include but are not limited to the following categories of products intended for children under age three:

Squeeze toys
Teethers
Crib exercisers
Crib gyms
Crib mobiles
Other toys or items to be affixed to a crib, stroller, playpen or baby carriage
Pull and push toys
Pounding toys
Blocks and stacking sets
Rocking, spring, and stick horses and other figures
Chime and musical balls and carousels
Jack-in-the boxes
Stuffed, plush and flocked animals and other figures
Preschool toys, games and puzzles
Riding toys
Infant and juvenile furniture articles such as cribs, playpens, baby bouncers and walkers, strollers and carriages
Dolls such as baby dolls, rag dolls and bean-bag dolls
Toy cars, trucks and other vehicles
Any other toy or article intended, marketed or labeled for use by children younger than age three.