Standardization News

A new ASTM standard covers the emergence of infant sleep products with sleeping surfaces of greater than 10 degrees. The standard (F3118, Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Inclined Sleep Products) addresses issues such as maximum incline angles, side-to-side surface containment and side height requirements.

The standard will establish safety performance requirements, test methods and labeling requirements to minimize potential hazards to infants in inclined sleep products. Such products are typically used for infants up to about five months of age, or when the infant begins to roll over or pull up on sides. In addition, F3118 provides requirements for variants that are used with other juvenile products such as play yards and variations used only for newborns.

ASTM member Mike Steinwachs, senior manager, quality engineering, Fisher-Price, notes that the use of infant inclined sleep products has become popular as parents sometimes feel that babies sleep better on an inclined rather than flat surface. Manufacturers, test labs and retailers will be the principal users of F3118.

To purchase standards, visit www.astm.org and search by the standard designation, or contact ASTM Sales (tel +1.877.909.ASTM; sales@astm.org).

CONTACT Technical Information: Mike Steinwachs, Fisher-Price • East Aurora, N.Y. • tel +1 716.687.3274 | ASTM Staff: Leonard Morrissey • tel +1.610.832.9719 | Upcoming Meeting: F15 Juvenile Products Subcommittees • Oct. 5-9 • ASTM Headquarters, West Conshohocken, Pa.