Is that Product Safe for My Child to Use?

18 Jun 2015

Gaining insight into the risks and rewards associated with the safety of juvenile products.

children spend a large portion of their initial years interacting with and using various juvenile products such as cribs, strollers, and high chairs. caregivers believe and hope that the products they've chosen are safe for the most precious members of their families.

over the last decade, there have been numerous recalls of juvenile products in the u.s. – from strangulation hazards posed by baby monitors to fall hazards from baby carriers, from entrapment hazards caused by crib mattresses to strangulation hazards in play yards and hardware failures in safety gates. so, how do you know if the products your infant or toddler uses are safe?

the numerous nursery product accidents, higher propensity of younger children to get in harm's way and the unique nature and purpose of these products has given rise to in-depth safety standards created by the industry. similarly, recognizing the need for higher safety and regulatory standards for durable nursery products, the u.s. consumer product safety commission, per the section 104 of the consumer product safety improvement act, have promulgated a minimum of two product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products every six months. these are made in consultation with juvenile product manufacturers, members of consumer safety groups, engineers and other experts.

examples product categories with mandatory safety standards for durable infant or toddler products include:

• 16 cfr 1219 for full-size cribs
• 16 cfr 1216 for walkers
• 16 cfr 1225 for hand held infant carriers
• 16 cfr 1227 for carriages and strollers

unsure if the juvenile products you are selling meet the necessary safety standards? intertek can help you with that. contact us today.