by Federal safety rule for clothing storage units is based on updated ASTM F2057-23 that CPSC staff finds meets the requirements of STURDY Act
WASHINGTON — A new mandatory federal stability standard for clothing storage units will take effect Sept. 1, according to a notice published Thursday in the Federal Register by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The standard is based on the updated ASTM F2057-23 that meets the requirements of the STURDY (Stop Tip-overs of Risky Dressers on Youth) Act that was signed into law by President Biden Dec. 29, 2022. The law aims to reduce incidents involving tip-overs of clothing storage units that have injured and killed children.
According to language in the notice, Sept. 1 would be the effective date for units manufactured after that date unless the commission receives a significant adverse comment on the standard by June 5. At that point, it would publish a document in the Federal Register that withdraws the final rule before its effective date.
Publication of the notice also places a stay on the CPSC’s previous mandatory standard which was set to take effect May 24.
STURDY requires that a voluntary standard must include several key objective, repeatable, reproducible and measures of tests that include the following:
+ Tests that simulate the weight of children up to 60 pounds, which is the approximate weight of a 72-month-old child.
+ Tests that simulate real-world use and account for the impacts of clothing storage unit stability that may result from the placement of units on carpeted surfaces, drawers loaded, open drawers and dynamic force.
+ Testing of clothing storage units that are 27 inches and above in height. It excludes units weighing less than 30 pounds empty and that have a storage volume of less than 3.2 cubic feet.
+ Warning requirements that help inform parents and caregivers of the dangers of tip-overs.
STURDY has three stability tests that simulate the weight of a child up to 60 pounds climbing on or playing on a clothing storage unit.
In the first test, various drawers must have weight meant to simulate loads of clothing. It must not tip over with all extendable elements such as drawers and doors open.
The second test applies a 10-pound horizontal force over a period of at least five seconds at a “hand-hold” not to exceed a 56-inch height. It then holds the force for at least 10 seconds. CPSC staff determined that the commission could conclude this second stability test simulates the pull force of children of up to 60 pounds.
The third test simulates the unit being placed on a carpeted surface. It uses a 60-pound weight placed on the edge of an open drawer or pull-out shelf, while the unit is tilted forward using a 0.43-inch test block to simulate its placement on a carpeted surface. In this test, all doors and extendible elements also are open. Staff also determined that based on the requirements of STURDY, the commission could conclude that this test simulates the static weight of children up to 60 pounds.
To view the entire Federal Register notice, click here.
