Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) New Crib Standards
ACF-IM-HS-12-03

INFORMATION MEMORANDUM

TO: Head Start Grantee and Delegate Agencies

SUBJECT: Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) New Crib Standards

BACKGROUND:
Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to issue consumer product safety standards for durable infant or toddler products. Since 2007, CPSC has recalled more than 11 million dangerous cribs. Drop-side cribs with detaching side rails were associated with at least 32 infant suffocation and strangulation deaths since 2000. Additional deaths occurred due to faulty or defective crib hardware.

INFORMATION:
In December 2010, CPSC published new safety standards for full-size and non-full-size baby cribs. These new standards, which aim to prevent fatalities and to keep children safer in their cribs, took effect for manufacturers, retailers, importers, and distributors on June 28, 2011.

Beginning December 28, 2012, any crib provided by child care facilities (including Early Head Start programs) and family child care homes must meet these new Federal safety standards:

• Traditional drop-side cribs cannot be made or sold; immobilizers and repair kits are not allowed;
• Wood slats must be made of stronger woods to prevent breakage;
• Crib hardware must have anti-loosening devices to keep it from coming loose or falling off;
• Mattress supports must be more durable; and
• Safety testing must become more rigorous.

Compliance with these new standards cannot be determined by looking at the product. If a crib was purchased before June 28, 2011, CPSC recommends verifying the crib meets the standards by asking for proof, such as asking the manufacturer, retailer, importer, or distributor to show a Certificate of Compliance. The document must:

• Describe the product;
• Give the name, full mailing address, and telephone number of the importer or domestic manufacturer;
• Identify the rule with which it complies (16 CFR 1219 or 1220);
• Give the name, full mailing address, email address, and telephone number for the records keeper and location of the testing lab; and
• Give the date and location of manufacture and testing.

When purchasing new cribs that meet the standards, it is important to ask the manufacturer or retailer whether the crib complies with 16 CFR 1219 (the new standard for full-size cribs) or 16 CFR 1220 (the new standard for non-full-size cribs). Manufacturers are required to test samples of their cribs to the new standards and to certify that they comply with the new standards. They must provide this certification to the retailer.

Early Head Start programs cannot resell, donate, or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards. Older non-compliant cribs must be disposed in a manner that prevents these cribs from being reassembled and used.

Further information on crib safety and the most up-to-date information on how to create a safe sleep environment can be found at the CPSC website: www.cpsc.gov/cribs. A flyer describing the key features of this rule can be found at: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5023.pdf.

Thank you for taking part in an important effort that promotes children’s healthy growth and development.

Please direct any questions on this Information Memorandum to Robin Brocato in the Office of Head Start at robin.brocato@acf.hhs.gov.

/ Yvette Sanchez Fuentes /

Yvette Sanchez Fuentes
Director
Office of Head Start

See PDF Version of Information Memorandum:
     Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) New Crib Standards [PDF, 82KB]