CPSC Issues Final Rule on Infant Support Cushions

The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a final rule setting a new safety standard for infant support cushions (see 2401120054), it said in a notice. CPSC is also amending CPSC’s consumer registration requirements to identify infant support cushions as durable infant or toddler products and amending CPSC’s list of notices of requirements.

The final rule becomes effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register, set for Nov. 4, which puts the date around the first week of May.

The final rule defines an infant support cushion as an infant product that is filled with or comprised of resilient material such as foam, fibrous batting or granular material or with a gel, liquid or gas, and is marketed, designed or intended to support an infant’s weight or any portion of an infant while reclining or in a supine, prone or recumbent position, CPSC said. This definition includes any removable covers, or slipcovers, sold on or together with an infant support cushion. This includes infant pillows, infant loungers, nursing pillows with a lounging function, infant props or cushions used to support an infant for activities such as tummy time, and other similar products.

CPSC noted that the final rule doesn't conflict with a 1992 ban on certain infant cushions and pillows filled with foam, plastic beads or other granular material: "That ban was limited to products with the specific hazard presented by loosely filled granular material such as polystyrene beads or pellets, and those products will continue to be banned under the [Federal Hazardous Substances Act, or] FHSA. Infant support cushions that are not subject to the ban are within the scope of this rule and are required to comply with the performance and labeling requirements of this rule."