CPSC Proposes to Ban Crib Bumpers, Inclined Sleepers Under 2021 Law

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently issued two proposed rules that would codify the bans enacted by Congress in 2021 on crib bumpers and inclined sleepers for infants. Under the proposed rules, the bans would take effect Nov. 12, and no grace period would be allowed for banned products sitting in inventory. Comments are due Aug. 25.

“The [Safe Sleep for Babies Act] states that the ban applies to” crib bumpers and inclined sleepers “‘regardless of the date of manufacture.’ Therefore,” crib bumpers and “inclined sleepers for infants manufactured before the ban becomes effective will be banned hazardous products beginning on the effective date, as well as any” crib bumpers and “inclined sleepers for infants manufactured or sold on or after the effective date.”

The proposed rule on crib bumpers defines products subject to the ban as “any material that is intended to cover the sides of a crib to prevent injury to any crib occupant from impacts against the side of a crib or to prevent partial or complete access to any openings in the sides of a crib to prevent a crib occupant from getting any part of the body entrapped in any opening.” The definition “includes a padded crib bumper, a supported and unsupported vinyl bumper guard, and vertical crib slat covers; and … does not include a non-padded mesh crib liner.”

The proposal on inclined sleepers for infants defines banned products as “a product with an inclined sleep surface greater than ten degrees that is intended, marketed, or designed to provide sleeping accommodations for an infant up to 1 year old.”

As a result of the bans, CPSC is also “terminating its pending rulemaking proceeding on crib bumpers/liners,” it said. “The Commission is also terminating the related proposed rule amendment to include the safety standard for crib bumpers/liners in the list of notice of requirements, as well as the related proposed amendment to identify ‘crib bumpers/liners’ as a durable infant or toddler product subject to CPSC's consumer registration requirements.”