Toys & Childcare | Monthly bulletin | September 2019
CPSC Publishes Revision to Safety Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs
On 23rd July 2019, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission published a direct final rule which revised the CPSC's mandatory standard for full-size baby cribs (FS cribs) to incorporate by reference the most recent version ASTM F1169-19.
Comparing to the former rule adopted by the Commission, the major change of this revised rule is that all warnings intended to be on a FS crib should be affixed to the product including lower-priority warnings.
This rule will come into effect on October 28, 2019.
Please click here for more information.
CPSC Publishes Revision to Safety Standard for Carriages and Strollers
On 2nd August 2019, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission published a direct final rule which revised the CPSC's mandatory standard for carriages and strollers to incorporate by reference the most recent version ASTM F833-19.
This final rule covers following main revisions:
- Adds a new definition, performance requirement, test method, and warning for “tray/grab bar protective covering”;
- Add a failure mode ”failure to support the test weight” to static load tests.
The rule will be effective on November 5, 2019.
Please click here for more information.
Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:
|
Reference |
Title |
|
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toddler Beds |
Signed crib bumper pads ban
On 13th August 2019, New York State Governor signed the Bill 3788 which prohibits the sale of crib bumper pads and restricting the use of crib bumper pads in certain settings.
The bill defines "Crib bumper pads" as:
A pad or pads of a non-mesh material resting directly above the mattress in a crib, running the surface area of the crib or along the length of any of the interior sides of the crib. "Crib bumper pad" does not include mesh liners.
This law will become effective on 12th October 2019.
Regulatory proposals notified to WTO
Below a summary table with some recent notifications to World Trade Organization (non-exhaustive) by Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry:
|
Notification number / Link |
Title |
|
SI 562 part 14 - Safety of toys: Trampolines for domestic use
This standard adopts the European Standard EN 71-14: December 2014 |
|
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SI 562 part 3 - Safety of toys: Migration of certain chemical elements
This draft standard revision adopts the European Standard EN-71-3: 2013 and A3: June 2018 |
|
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SI 562 part 7 - Safety of toys: Finger paints - Requirements and test methods
This draft standard revision adopts the European Standard EN-71-7: 2014 and A2: February 2018 |
|
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SI 562 part 8 - Safety of toys: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use
This draft standard revision adopts the European Standard EN-71-8: January 2018 |
Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 88 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 29 until week 33 of 2019.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Burns |
2 |
Interactive soft toy: The surface of the battery compartment can overheat. Not complying with EN 62115 |
|
Fancy-dress mask: It is highly flammable and does not self-extinguish. It does not comply with EN 71-2 |
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|
Chemical |
37 |
Phthalates contained: Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) |
|
Squeezable toy: It contains the substances N,N-dimethylformamide, cyclohexanone, bis(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)ether) and triethylenediamine |
||
|
Slime: high level of migration of Boron |
||
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Button cell batteries: easily accessible. Not complying with Toy Safety Directive and standard EN 62115 |
||
|
The toy contains an excessive amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), notably benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) |
||
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Paint: It contains lead |
||
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The toy contains several chemical substances, such as cadmium |
||
|
Choking |
26 |
Small parts. Not complying with EN 71-1 |
|
Plush toy: The fibrous stuffing material of the toy is easily accessible due to the weakness of certain seams |
||
|
Expandable toy: it can cause fatal occlusion of the respiratory track or intestinal blockage of small children |
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|
Damage to sight |
4 |
The kinetic energy of the projectiles fired from the toy machine gun is too high |
|
Damage to hearing |
1 |
The sound pressure level of the toy is too high. Not complying with EN 71-1 |
|
Electric shock |
1 |
The electrical insulation and the creepage and clearance distances in the charger are not sufficient. Not complying with EN 62115 |
|
Environment |
5 |
Solders in the toy contain an excessive amount of lead and cadmium. Not complying with RoHS 2 Directive |
|
Injuries |
8 |
Toy: The hand slide can easily break |
|
Pushchair: It has only one locking device and could consequently collapse during use. Not complying with EN 71-1 |
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Changing table: The stitching in the textile of the table's nursing area can brake. Not complying with EN 12221 |
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Car seat: It does not sufficiently protect the child's head in the event of an accident and can become damaged |
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|
Scooter: The handlebar locking mechanism of the scooter may release under load and the steering column may slip down. In addition, the front wheel is too small and could get stuck in holes in the ground. Not complying with EN 71-1 |
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Baby carrier: The durability of the product is not sufficient and it could break |
||
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Baby sling: it can tear apart and the baby can fall down during use |
||
|
Microbiological |
3 |
Squeezable toy: The toy contains aerobic bacteria, stenotrophomonas maltophilia and the presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens |
|
Soap bubble toy: It contains mesophilic aerobic bacteria and the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
||
|
Strangulation |
1 |
Toy drum: The strap attached has no quick release mechanism. Not complying with EN 71-1 |
From 21st July to 20th August 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 8 recalls regarding Childcare and children’s products.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of recalls |
Notes |
|
Suffocation |
1 |
Infant Head and Neck Support Accessories: the support area can be overstuffed and cause the infant’s head to be tilted too far forward |
|
Fall |
2 |
Bike: The steer tube clamp on the bike can break |
|
Bouncers: The Bouncer can detach from the Chair |
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|
Fall and injures |
2 |
Stroller: The modified thru-bolt on the front wheel can fracture |
|
Trampolines: The welds on the metal railings (legs) can fail |
||
|
Infant fatalities |
1 |
Dream Bassinet: the infants rolled from their back to their stomach or side while unrestrained, or under other circumstances. |
|
Choking |
1 |
Socks: Rattles sewn inside the socks and wristbands can detach |
|
Choking and laceration |
1 |
Walkers can be damaged over time exposing sharp points and small parts |
