The Toy Association™ Voices Concerns Over CPSC’s Broad Definition of ‘Infant Support Cushions’

March 19, 2024 | The Toy Association™ submitted comments on March 18 to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regarding a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) on a safety standard for infant support cushions. While the proposed revisions are not intended to directly address the toy industry, The Toy Association expressed concerns about the proposed definition of “infant support cushions,” which is extremely broad and would inadvertently include soft infant toys that already comply with federal toy safety standards (ASTM F963).

The Toy Association’s comments explained that toys intended for infants (including activity centers, tummy time play items, and play mats) could fall under the broad definition despite not posing the same safety risks as the intended product categories addressed by the NPR. The Association suggested revisions to ensure that only appropriate products are subject to the proposed regulations, with specific recommendations to exclude toys since they are already compliant with ASTM F963, which is adopted as a mandatory standard under 16 CFR 1250.

“The Toy Association values the importance of continually reviewing and updating safety standards to ensure the highest level of protection for consumers,” said Jos Huxley, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association. “Ensuring clarity in regulations is essential to maintaining the safety and integrity of our industry.”

The Toy Association will continue to keep its members apprised of developments on this issue. Any questions may be directed to The Toy Association’s Jos Huxley.