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 17422) a final rule codifies the regulation for soft infant and toddler carriers at 16 C.F.R. part 1226 and incorporates by reference ASTM F2236, with any modifications by CPSC. 16 C.F.R. § 1226.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2236that is mandatory as well as any modifications. See the “Previous Versions of the Standard” section below for effective dates.
A soft infant and toddler carrier is a product normally of sewn fabric construction designed to carry a child (a full-term infant to a toddler), generally in an upright position, in close proximity to the caregiver.
Soft infant and toddler carriers differ from sling carriers in that a primary feature for sling carriers is the ability to carry the infant(s) in a reclined position.
The requirements for frame child carriers are as follows:
- General requirements
- Hazardous 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
- Lead in paint – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Locking and latching
- Labeling
- Flammability of textile products
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Performance requirements
- Leg openings
- Dynamic and static load
- Unbounded leg opening
- Fastener strength and strap retention
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 F2236 depending on its date of manufacture:
| Manufactured after... | Must meet... |
|---|---|
| February 22, 2025 | ASTM F2236-24 |
| September 29, 2014 | ASTM F2236-14 |
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 soft infant and toddler carriers, the citation to use in section 2 of the CPC is “16 CFR part 1226 — Soft infant and toddler carriers”.
For more information on certification, visit our CPC business guidance page.
Additional Information
- Soft infant and toddler carriers 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