US CPSC Issues Direct Final Rule for Play Yards

SafeGuardSToys and Juvenile ProductsFeb 04, 2025

SG 023/25

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a direct final rule to adopt the latest version of ASTM F406, with modifications, as the mandatory safety standard for play yards.

On January 29, 2025, the CPSC published a direct final rule to update 16 CFR 1221, the safety standard for play yards. The rule incorporates ASTM F406-24 (Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards) with modifications that exclude sections of the standard that apply to non-full-size cribs exclusively. The rule will become effective on April 5, 2025, unless the CPSC receives significant adverse comments by February 28, 2025.

The standard defines a play yard (also called a playpen) as a “framed enclosure that includes a floor and has mesh or fabric sided panels primarily intended to provide a play or sleeping environment for children; it may fold for storage or travel.”

The revised standard includes the following changes:

Updated definitions for ‘play yard/non-full-size crib dependent accessory’ and ‘full accessory’
Revised section 5.13 regarding length of cords/straps*
Revised section 8.24.1 regarding cords/straps length test method*
Revised section 9.5.2 regarding warning labels pertaining to removable mattresses
Revised section 9.6.3 regarding strangulation warning labels
Non-substantive changes made to other sections of marking, labeling and instructional literature based on recommendations from ASTM's Ad Hoc Language Task Group

* These revisions were first made in ASTM F406-22 and, therefore, are a change to the play yard rule which currently incorporates ASTM F406-19.

A read-only copy of the standard is available in the ASTM reading room.

Final rule 16 CFR 1221

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