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CPSC Proposes New Safety Standard for Infant Portable Hook-on Chairs

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is proposing a new safety standard for infant portable hook-on chairs (here). The product safety standard would adopt as mandatory, without any changes, the current voluntary industry standard ASTM F1235-15 for portable hook-on chairs, including requirements for sharp points, small parts, locking mechanisms, performance requirement and test methods, and labeling. Comments on the proposal are due Sept. 15.

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CPSC’s proposed rule would define a portable hook-on chair in accordance with ASTM 1235-15, as “usually a legless seat constructed to locate the occupant at a table in such a position and elevation so that the surface of the table can be used as the feeding surface for the occupant . . . supported solely by the table on which it is mounted.” The ASTM standard specifies the appropriate ages and weights for children using portable hook-on chairs as “between the ages of six months and three years and who weigh no more than 37 lb (16.8 kg) (95th percentile male at three years),” said CPSC.

According to the proposed rule, “typical hook-on chairs consist of fabric over a lightweight frame, with a device to mount the seat to a support surface, such as a table or counter. Some hook-on chairs fold for easy storage or transport, and some include a removable tray that can be used in conjunction with a table.”

(Federal Register 07/02/15)