CPSC Amends Consumer Registration Regulations for Durable Infant Products

GENEVA, April 05, 2012 (Press-News.org) With publication of a Final Rule in the Federal Register by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 17, 2012 amending the 16 CFR 1130 requirements for consumer registration of durable infant or toddler products, to clarify and correct some of the requirements and respond to consumer feedback on registration. The rule becomes effective on February 18, 2013.

The amendment addresses Title 16 (commercial practices) of the United States Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Chapter 2B (Consumer Product Safety Act Regulations) Part 1130 (Requirements for Consumer Registration of Durable Infant or Toddler Products). Such products include cribs and toddler beds, bed rails, high chairs, infant bathtubs, bath seats, booster seats, children’s folding chairs, play yards, strollers, walkers, swings, infant bouncers, diaper changing tables as well as bassinets, cradles, infant carriers and slings.

The Final Rule (http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-17/pdf/2012-3712.pdf) includes specific changes and additions to the existing regulations. In particular it specifies the requirements for the format and text of registration forms, which includes a revision to the sequence of information requested, stipulating the font size in inches instead of by point and the wording of a statement to inform consumers they should retain the top part of the form for their reference and only return the bottom part. It also allows manufacturers to list a brand name in addition to the manufacturer's name and removes the manufacturer’s name from the back of the form to save space on the form – this remains specified in the top part of the front that is retained by the consumer. A new requirement states that for manufacturers who use a third party to process the registration, the third party's name may be noted. No mandatory location is defined where registration Information may be maintained and this is not necessarily within the United States, provided information can be made available to the CPSC within 24 hours. The purpose statement on the form is revised to “Product registration for safety alert or recall only.” A new option of including a barcode or other machine-readable element (such as a QR code) to provide consumer with further information is permitted, in addition the wording is specified for offering online registration or an alternative email registration option on the form.

SGS Solutions for Infant Products

SGS has dedicated experts and services to assist you in the development of juvenile products and childcare articles. SGS provides regular information on changes to the regulatory landscape and offers physical/mechanical tests, chemical tests, packaging evaluation, inspections (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Toys-and-Juvenile-Products/Juvenile-Products-and-Childcare-Articles/Inspection-Services.aspx) to ensure the compliance of your products in their target markets.

Please do not hesitate to contact SGS for further information.

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Piyush Shah
Technical Director Hardgoods
SGS North America Inc.
291 Fairfield Avenue
Fairfield, NJ USA 07004

t: +973 575 5252
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
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