The regulation seeks to minimize the risk of death and injuries associated with the use of swings, including those related to swings tipping over or collapsing, structural failures, and entanglement in the restraints or entrapment in leg holes.
The regulation was originally published at 77 FR 66703 and codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1223. The regulation incorporates by reference ASTM F2088, and 16 CFR § 1223.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2088 that is mandatory.
Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
ASTM F2088 defines various different types of swings:
- A “combination swing” is “a swing that has a cradle swing use, mode, or position and an infant swing use, mode, or position”
- A “cradle swing” is “a swing which is intended for use by an infant lying flat to swing or glide and is intended for use with infants from birth until infant begins to push up on hands and knees (approximately 5 months)”
- An “infant swing” is “a swing that enables an infant in a seated position to swing or glide and is intended for use with infants from birth until infant attempts to climb out of the swing (approximately 9 months)”
- A “travel swing” is “a low-profile, compact infant, cradle, or combination swing having a distance of 6 in. or less between the underside of the seat bottom and the support surface (floor) at any point in the seat’s range of motion”
The scope of the standard applies to swings that use a powered mechanism for the motion and provide a swinging or gliding seat in any direction.
The requirements for infant and cradle swings per ASTM F2088 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 – see also our lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Latching or locking mechanisms
- Openings
- Exposed coil springs
- Labeling
- Toys – any toy accessories must meet the applicable requirements for children’s toys
- Cradle swings
- Performance requirements
- Electrically powered swings
- Structural integrity
- Stability test
- Unintentional folding
- Restraint system
- Passive crotch restraint system
- Cradle swing orientation
- Seat angles for swings with removable tray/armbar or without tray/armbar
- Tethered strap accessibility for non-occupants
For details on the individual requirements, firms should review the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2088 as referenced at 16 C.F.R. § 1223.2. Read-only copies of ASTM standards that are incorporated by reference can be viewed at ASTM’s electronic Reading Room.
Yes. There are general requirements for children’s products and durable infant or toddler products that apply:
- Small parts: Products intended for children under 3 years of age must not contain small parts or liberate small parts after use and abuse testing.
- Lead in paint and similar surface coatings: Children’s products must not bear paint and/or similar surface coatings that contain more than 0.009 percent (90 ppm) lead.
- Total lead content: Children’s products must not contain greater than 100 ppm (0.01 percent) of total lead content in any accessible component part. 16 C.F.R. § 1500.87 addresses determination of accessibility for the purposes of the total lead content rule.
- Third-party testing: Children’s products must be tested for compliance to applicable safety rules by a third-party, CPSC-accepted laboratory.
- Certification: Domestic manufacturers or importers of children’s products must generate a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) certifying compliance to the applicable safety rules and ensures that a CPC accompanies the distribution of the product.
- Labeling: Children’s products must bear distinguishing, permanent marks on the product and any packaging (tracking label) that allow consumers to ascertain certain information. Durable infant or toddler products are required to have product markings in addition to the tracking label. This chart summarizes the specific labeling and registration requirements that durable infant and toddler products must meet.
- Registration form: Durable infant or toddler products must have a product registration form (also known as registration card) permanently attached to the product. There must also be an option to register via a website or, in the absence of a website, via email.