July 22, 2010

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently voted unanimously in favor of new proposed mandatory standards for cribs. 

Together with ASTM standards, the new rules would contain design requirements that essentially prohibit traditional drop sides on cribs.

In addition to banning the manufacture and sale of drop-side cribs, the new rules will mandate sturdier hardware, better mattress support, better quality wood for crib construction, and more stringent safety testing. These rules would address the most common safety hazards in cribs, including faulty hardware, dangerous gaps created from mattress support failures, and poor wood quality with crib slats that detach or break. 

CPSC plans to finalize the proposed mandatory crib standards this year.

Full article. (CPSC)