So what exactly are the differences between these
organizations? How do I know my baby
product is safe?
Consumer Products
Safety Commission (CPSC)
The CPSC is an independent federal agency that has both
mandatory standards and voluntary standards in place that manufacturers must
comply with. CPSC doesn't have the legal
authority to certify products.
1. The mandatory
standards requires that manufacturers and importers of children's products
certify that their products comply with mandatory rules after testing at third
party laboratories whose accreditation is accepted by the CPSC. CPSC regulations have the force of law and
child products cannot be sold in America unless those regulations are met.
Built into the regulatory procedures of the CPSC is the ability of that
governmental body to impose the recall of products deemed unsafe. Fines may
also be imposed upon manufacturers for violations identified by the CPSC.
To date, the Commission has issued
requirements for the following durable infant or toddler products:
·
Bath Seats
·
Bed Rails (Portable)
·
Full-Size Cribs
·
Non-Full-Size Cribs
·
Infant Walkers
·
Play Yards
·
Toddler Beds
2. Voluntary standards serve as guidelines for the
manufacture and performance of certain products. There are voluntary standards
in place for items such as strollers, high chairs, infant swings, etc. While
it might be desirable for a manufacturer to conform to industry standards, it
is not required. Naturally, it could be advantageous in the marketplace for a
manufacturer to adopt and apply those standards that enhance the safety of its
product.
sources:
ASTM International is one of the largest voluntary standards
developing organizations in the world. ASTM is a not-for-profit organization
that has developed more than 12,000 ASTM standards that can be found in the
80-volume Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
ASTM does not have any testing facilities to accommodate
testing of products. An organization which desires to have their product tested
for conformance to an ASTM standard could do the required testing in their own
laboratory or contract the services of an independent third party laboratory.
Currently there are 17 standards covering the following infant/children’s
products:
·
Bath seats
·
Carriages and strollers
·
Full size cribs
·
Non-full size cribs
·
Gates and enclosures
·
High chairs
·
Portable hook-on chairs
·
Play yards
·
Stationary activity centers
·
Infant swings
·
Toddler beds
·
Baby walkers
·
Bassinets/cradles
·
Infant bouncer seats
·
Infant bedding
·
Portable bed rails
·
Hand held infant carriers
In addition, there are standards in development for front
and back baby carriers and changing tables.
These ASTM voluntary standards
incorporate and often expand upon existing mandatory government standards. For example, cribs have mandatory federal
government standards that must be met (CPSC).
ASTM standards for cribs go beyond mandatory federal requirements by
adding that they must meet the following additional standards:
·
Cribs
o
Corner post vertical extensions
o
Dynamic impact testing for crib structural
integrity
o
Crib interior dimensions and component spacing
o
Impact testing of crib side rails
In addition, each of the standards contains specific requirements
for labeling and marking of both the product and packaging. These
warnings/markings are intended to alert parents/caregivers to specific issues
involving each product.
Sources:
·
http://www.astm.org/ABOUT/faqs.html
·
http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/MARCH_2003/waller_mar03.html
Juvenile Products
Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
So, how do consumers know a juvenile product manufacturer
has taken the additional step to ensure their products meet the applicable
current ASTM standard? They look for the Juvenile Products Manufacturers
Association certification seal. JPMA
developed a product certification program using ASTM standards as the basis for
each product category within the program. This program has been in existence
since the mid-1970s and continues to grow as more ASTM standards for juvenile
products are published.
What exactly is the JPMA you ask? The JPMA is a national trade organization
representing 95% of the prenatal to preschool industry. Today, JPMA represents
250 companies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico who manufacture, import
and/or distribute infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding,
and a wide range of accessories and decorative items. The purpose of the certification program is
to assure the consumer that distributors bearing the seal have demonstrated
compliance with the requirements of the appropriate ASTM standard through
independent laboratory reviews.
Although this program does not guarantee each and every
product is safe, it does indicate that the manufacturer took the extra step to
ensure the product complies with the requirements of the ASTM standard. Parents need to remember that the JPMA tests
to the minimum government safety standards developed by the CPSC and the ASTM.
However, many parents may desire to purchase products that exceed government
minimum standards.Please keep in mind that many reputable companies that meet or exceed ASTM standards have chosen not to bear the JPMA seal. Jamie Grayson (The Baby Guy) states that many stroller companies such as phil&teds, Mutsy, Valco, and Mountain Buggy do NOT pay for additional testing by the JPMA.
Sources:
·
http://www.jpma.org/content/about/about-jpma
·
Jamie Grayson (http://www.babyguygearguide.com/
and https://www.facebook.com/#!/TheBabyGuyNYC?fref=ts)
Child restraints sold in the United States are required to
satisfy the rigorous performance standards established by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and are certified by their manufacturers
as compliant before they can be offered for sale. ASTM and JPMA certification are not available
for car seats.
