CPSC Publishes Direct Final Rule for Infant Bath Tubs

Background of CPSIA Requirements

Section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), requires the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission or CPSC) to promulgate consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. These standards are to be ‘‘substantially the same as’’ applicable voluntary standards or more stringent than the voluntary standard if the Commission concludes that more stringent requirements would further reduce the risk of injury associated with the product. The Commission is issuing this Direct Final Rule for infant bath tubs in response to the direction under Section 104(b) of the CPSIA.

Background of 16 CFR 1234

The Commission issued a Final Rule for 16 CFR 1234 on March 30, 2017. The Final Rule became effective on October 2, 2017 and referenced the ASTM F2670-17 Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bath Tubs with no modifications.

Revisions of ASTM F2670-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Bath Tubs

The ASTM subcommittee balloted and approved changes to the standard for a 2018 version. These changes include requirements for infant tub accessories, added several definitions, a section for multi-use products was added, a line for CPSIA compliance was added, the format of the required warnings on the product was revised, a section was added for the warning design on the package of an infant bath tub accessory that is sold separately, instructional literature labeling requirements were editorially revised, plus other editorial revisions were made.

Additional Information

The CPSC is issuing this Direct Final Rule and this will become effective on January 15, 2019 unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comments within 30 days from the date of publication within the Federal Register.

To view the direct Final Rule for Infant Bath Tubs:

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2018-10-23/pdf/2018-23071.pdf