Section 104(b)(1) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires the CPSC to promulgate rulemaking for durable infant or toddler products. Implementing that Congressional instruction, CPSC published in the Federal Register (79 FR 13208) a final rule codifies the regulation for carriages and strollers at 16 C.F.R. part 1227 and incorporates by reference ASTM F833, with any modifications by CPSC. 16 C.F.R. § 1227.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F833 that is mandatory as well as any modifications. See the “Previous Versions of the Standard” section below for effective dates.
A carriage is a wheeled vehicle used for the transport of one or more infants, generally in a lying down position. The motive power is supplied by a person pushing or pulling on a handle attached to the vehicle. A carriage may be capable of being folded for storage.
A stroller is a wheeled vehicle for the transport of one or more infants or children generally in a sitting-up or semi-reclined position. The motive power is supplied by a person while pushing on a handle attached to the stroller. A stroller generally is capable of being folded for storage. Strollers normally are used by children from infancy to 36 months of age.
The requirements for carriages and strollers are as follows:
- General requirements
- Sharp points and edges – see also 16 C.F.R. §§ 1500.3(b)(4)(i)(D) and 1500.3(b)(15)(i)(A)
- Small parts – see also our small parts business guidance page
- Surface coatings – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Latching mechanisms
- Openings
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Exposed coil springs
- Labeling
- Protective components
- Seat recline measurement
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Cord/strap length
- Tray/grab bar protective covering requirement
- Performance requirements
- Parking brake requirements
- Static load
- Stability
- Restraining system
- Occupant retention
- Car seat/stroller products
- Impact test
- Passive containment/foot opening
- Wheel and swivel assemblies detachment
- Head entrapment with car seat on a stroller or convertible carriage/stroller
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
Labeling
Per 16 C.F.R. § 1130.4, the following information must be permanently affixed to durable infant or toddler products in English:
- Name of manufacturer or importer
- Contact information (must include US address and phone number, toll-free if available)
- Model name/number
- Product identification number may be used as an identifying feature instead
- Date of manufacture
- Date must be at least month and year, and it can be stated in code form
This labeling requirement is in addition to the tracking label requirement for children’s products. This page summarizes the labeling requirements for durable infant or toddler products.
Registration Form
Product registration forms are required for all durable infant and toddler products to enable the manufacturer or retailer of the product to contact consumers with recall or other safety information. For more information, visit our registration forms business guidance page.
Previous Version of the Standard
15 U.S.C. § 2056a(b)(4)(B) requires the CPSC to evaluate any updates to an incorporated ASTM standard for durable infant or toddler products to determine whether the revised standard improves the safety of the product. Firms must ensure that the product is tested to the Commission-accepted version of ASTM F833 depending on its date of manufacture:
| Manufactured after... | Must meet... |
|---|---|
| February 15, 2022 | ASTM F833-21 |
| November 5, 2019 | ASTM F833-19 |
| October 2, 2016 | ASTM F833-15 |
| September 10, 2015 | ASTM F833-13b with modifications, see 79 FR 13208 |
Certification
Section 14(a) of the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) requires manufacturers and importers of children’s products subject to a regulation, standard, or ban enforced by the CPSC to certify that those products meet the requirements of the standard by issuing a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). For carriages and strollers, the citation to use in section 2 of the CPC is “16 CFR part 1227 – Carriages and strollers”.
For more information on certification, visit our CPC business guidance page.
Additional Information
- Carriages and strollers FAQs
- Durable infant or toddler product business guidance page
- Registration forms business guidance page
Contact
For more information, please contact the Small Business Ombudsman (SBO) team:
- SBO contact form
- Toll-free: (888) 531-9070
- Email: SBO@cpsc.gov