Federal Government Standards (CPSC), the ASTM, the JPMA and your baby products. Where do they all fit in?

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:

·         http://www.cpsc.gov/about/faq.html

·         http://www.astm.org/SNEWS/MARCH_2006/mitchell_mar06.html

·         http://www.aclasscorp.com/newsletter/quickbytes-winter-2011/cpsia-third-party-testing.aspx

·         http://www.cpsc.gov/info/toysafety/durableinfantproducts.html

 

American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), now known as ASTM International

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.astm.org/SNEWS/MARCH_2003/waller_mar03.html

·         http://www.jpma.org/content/safety/certification-faq

·         http://www.jpma.org/content/about/about-jpma

·         http://suite101.com/article/is-jpma-certification-relevant-a54955#ixzz2HKCiFy00

·         Jamie Grayson (http://www.babyguygearguide.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/#!/TheBabyGuyNYC?fref=ts)

 A note about car seats:

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.