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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2/21

2 March 2012

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 171/2012

US : CPSC's Final Rule on Safety Standard for Portable Bed Rails

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued in the Federal Register (FR) of 29 February 2012 a final rule adopting a safety standard for portable bed rails, as required by the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). The FR notice is available at: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-02-29/pdf/2012-4451.pdf.

DETAILS

2.The trade was informed via Commercial Information Circular No. 224/2011 of 12 April 2011 the CPSC's proposed rule on safety standard for portable bed rails. The proposed rule sought to adopt ASTM International's standard, ASTM F2085-10a: "Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Portable Bed Rails", but with modifications to strengthen the standard. 
 

3.Taking into account comments received on the proposed rule, a newer standard, ASTM F2085-12 was developed. The CPSC is adopting in this final rule a new mandatory standard for portable bed rails, which incorporates ASTM F2085-12 and includes the following requirements:

  • the rails must not create a dangerous gap with the mattress into which a child can fall;
     

  • the rails must be tested to make sure the hardware is permanently attached, and that the components cannot be assembled in an unsafe manner;
     

  • the rails must have improved warnings on labels and instructions;
     

  • installation components, such as anchor or straps, must be permanently attached to the bed rail; and have a warning label on them; and
     

  • rails must not have hazardous sharp edges, points or small parts.

Interested parties may also make reference to CPSC's press release on the new standard: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12114.html?tab=news. 

4.The final rule will become effective 29 August 2012, and apply to product manufactured or imported on or after that date.

ENQUIRIES

5.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Cindy LAU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry