ASTM F2194 : 16

Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bassinets and Cradles

Standard Details

1.1 This consumer safety specification covers performance requirements, test methods, and marking requirements to promote safe use of bassinets and cradles.

1.2 This consumer safety performance specification is intended to minimize the risks of incidents to an infant resulting from normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of a bassinet or cradle.

1.3 This consumer safety performance specification covers products primarily intended to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant up to approximately 5 months in age or when the child begins to push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first. Products used in conjunction with an inclined infant swing or stroller, or products that are intended to provide an inclined sleep surface (head-to-toe direction) of greater than 10° from horizontal while in the rest (non-rocking) position are not covered by this specification.

1.3.1 Rationale—The addition of developmental criteria was added to the 5-month age grade to accommodate varying motor skills in children.

Note 1: Cradle swings with an incline less than or equal to 10° from horizontal while in the rest (non-rocking) position are covered under the scope of this standard. A sleep product that only has inclined sleeping surfaces (intended to be greater than 10° from horizontal while in the rest (non-rocking) position) does not fall under the scope of this standard. If a product can be converted to a bassinet/cradle use mode and meets the definition of a bassinet/cradle found in 3.1.1 while in that mode, the product shall be included in the scope of this standard, when it is in the bassinet/cradle use mode. For example, strollers that have a carriage/bassinet feature are covered by the stroller/carriage standard when in the stroller use mode. Carriage baskets/bassinets that are removable from the stroller base are covered under the scope of this standard when the carriage basket/bassinet meets the definition of a bassinet/cradle found in 3.1.1. Bassinet/cradle attachments to cribs or play yards, as defined in 3.1.2 or 3.1.13, are included in the scope of the standard when in the bassinet/cradle use mode.

1.4 No bassinet or cradle produced after the approval date of this consumer safety performance specification shall, either by label or other means, indicate compliance with this specification unless it conforms to all requirements contained herein.

1.5 This consumer safety performance specification is not intended to address incidents and injuries resulting from alteration or unreasonable abuse or misuse of the product by a child or child care giver.

1.6 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion Section 7 of this consumer safety performance specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.