Jul 26, 2016

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has approved a new federal mandatory safety standard for play yards that incorporates provisions of ASTM International standard F406, Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards. The effective date for the mandatory play yard standard is six months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register.

ASTM Consumer Safety Specification F406 was developed by Subcommittee F15.18 on Cribs, Toddler Beds, Play Yards, Bassinets, Cradles and Changing Tables, part of ASTM International F15 on Consumer Products. According to the CPSC, there were more than 2,100 incidents reported involving play yards between November 2007 and December 2011, including 60 fatalities and 170 injuries.

Mandatory requirements for play yards, as outlined in F406, include:

Section 104 of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires CPSC to issue safety standards for durable infant or toddler products, including play yards. In addition to play yards, CPSC has issued mandatory safety standards for cribs, children's bed rails, baby bath seats, baby walkers and toddler beds.