Tech Watch: U.S. CPSC Implements the STURDY Act Requirements for CSU Stability
On 19 April 2023, the U.S. CPSC Commissioners voted to approve the direct final rule that implements the Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth (STURDY) Act’s requirements for the stability of the clothing storage units (CSUs).
The direct final rule (DFR) adopts the performance requirements of the ASTM F2057-23 as the Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units in 16 CFR 1261, in place of the current part 1261 that the CPSC had published in November 2022 as a consumer product safety standard for CSUs to protect children from tip-over-related death or injury, that otherwise will take effect on 24 May 2023.
The direct final rule was published on 4 May 2023 and will go into effect on 1 September 2023, unless the CPSC receives significantly adverse comments by 5 June 2023. The final rule will apply to the CSUs manufactured on and after the effective date.
Scope:
With the adoption of ASTM F2057-2023, the scope of the CSU stability requirements will be “free-standing clothing storage units, including but not limited to chests, chests of drawers, drawer chests, armoires, chifferobes, bureaus, door chests, and dressers, which are 27 in. (686 mm) or greater in height, 30 lb (13.6 kg) or greater in mass, and contain 3.2 ft3 (90.6 dm3) or greater of enclosed storage volume.
The scope excludes shelving units, such as bookcases or entertainment furniture, office furniture, dining room furniture, jewellery armoires, under-bed drawer storage units, occasional/accent furniture not intended for bedroom use, laundry storage/sorting units, or built-in units intended to be permanently attached to the building, nor does it cover “Clothing Storage Chests” as defined in Consumer Safety Specification ASTM F2598.
Certification:
The CSUs manufactured after the effective date will require Certification as per the 16 CFR 1110 rule. In addition, the children’s CSUs will require testing at a CPSC-accepted third-party lab for the Certification (CPC) as per the 16 CFR 1110 rule.
The direct final rule can be viewed here.
A copy of the ASTM F2057-2023 standard can be purchased here.
For questions and additional information, please contact Dr. Pratik Ichhaporia or David Hong.