Voluntary standards reduce infant fatalities and injuries

Apr 15 2007

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) is pleased to report a reduction in infant fatalities and injuries due to the effectiveness of standards developed by the ASTM International (ASTM), formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials.

In a recent Senate hearing on the reauthorization of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), authorities cited an 84% and 89% reduction in fatalities and injuries due to the establishment and effectiveness of ASTM Standards for baby walkers and cribs, respectively.

These are just two of the 17 juvenile product categories for which standards exist. JPMA also promotes a voluntary Certification Program with independent accredited laboratories reviewing compliance with such standards. Initiated in 1976, the Certification Program was designed to offer parents that added assurance that the juvenile products they purchased were built to the highest safety standards.

The Certification Program is based on voluntary standards developed and published by ASTM. Committees within ASTM, which are comprised of a balance of manufacturers, consumer groups, representation from the U.S. CPSC and other interested parties, develop and revise the standards as necessary based upon hazard data.

Both ASTM and the CPSC work well with and understand the needs of manufacturers, retailers and the consumers. Together they have encouraged voluntary collaborative actions among stakeholders to address safety requirements.

Independent standards organizations and the safety standards developed in cooperation with industry experts result in some of the best hazard-based standards that ensure today's parents may be comfortably secure in the safe use and selection of their juvenile products.

Testifying at the Senate hearing, Frederick Locker, General Counsel to JPMA, had this to say, "We support the important and essential mission of the Commission. Their work is vital in addressing consumer product hazards through a framework of mandatory product safety standards; engagement in the voluntary or consensus standard-setting process; issuance of safety guidelines; and the implementation of information and education programs in an effort to proactively avoid injuries."

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association exists to advance the interests, growth and well-being of the juvenile products industry through advocacy, public relations, information sharing and business development opportunities.

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association is a national trade organization of more than 325 companies in the United States, Canada and Mexico. These companies manufacture and/or import infant products such as cribs, car seats, strollers, bedding, and a wide range of accessories and decorative items.