How to get the 16 CFR Part 1221 Test Report?

What is a Play Yard?

A play yard is a framed unit with mesh or fabric sides. Play yards are intended for travel or use around the home/yard or other purposes. Play yards provide a sleeping and playing area for children who cannot climb out and are under 35 inches (890 mm) in height. Play yards are very similar to non-full-size cribs, with interior length dimensions greater than 55 inches (139.7 cm) or less than 49 3/4 inches (126.3 cm), or interior width dimensions greater than 30 5/8 inches (77.7 cm) or less than 25 3/8 inches (64.3 cm), or both. Inflatable play yards are not covered by this regulation.

What is the Purpose of the Play Yard Standard?

This standard aims to prevent risks of death and injury from falls, entrapment, suffocation, or escape caused by component failures, displacement, or improper assembly of play yards and their accessories.

CPSC Regulations, Standards, and Testing Methods:

16 CFR Part 1221:Safety Standard for Play Yards

ASTM F406-19:Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Non-Full-Size Baby Cribs/Play Yards

Testing Items

1. Mechanical and Structural Safety

a. Latch mechanism testing:Ensure locking devices are reliable to prevent accidental folding.

b. Top rail strength:Verify rail connections are secure to avoid breakage or separation.

c. Side height:Sides must be sufficiently high (typically ≥35 inches) to restrict child climbing.

d. Mesh/fabric strength:Test material tear resistance to prevent entrapment.

e. Floor and mattress testing:Ensure floor structure is stable; mattress vertical displacement ≤1 inch to avoid suffocation risk.

f. Accessory compatibility:Accessories such as diaper changing stations and bassinets require additional testing to prevent hazards from incorrect assembly.

2. Chemical and Flammability Performance

a. Lead and phthalates:Chemical tests per CPSIA regulations to ensure material safety.

b. Flammability:Some fabrics must comply with ASTM F963 or 16 CFR 1610 flammability requirements.

3. Labels and Markings

a. Permanent tracking labels:Include production batch, manufacturer information, etc.

b. Warning labels:Clearly indicate hazards such as “strangulation risk,” “fall hazard,” and provide installation instructions.

What Are the Requirements for Play Yards?

The standard imposes strict requirements on all parts of the play yard, including the top rail corner brackets, top rail locking/latch mechanisms, and floor support structure. More specifically, major play yard floor requirements include:

1. Latch mechanism testing:Ensures latches and locks function as intended to prevent accidental folding during use.

2. Top rail strength, configuration, and connection testing:Ensures the top rail does not break or separate from the frame, which could cause cuts, suffocation hazards, entrapment, strangulation, falls, and/or escape.

3. Side height:Ensures sides are high enough to restrict a child's ability to climb out and stand.

4. Mesh or fabric side deflection and strength:Ensures materials and components are strong enough to prevent tearing, which could cause entrapment, strangulation, falls, or escape.

5. Floor strength:Ensures the structure is strong enough not to break or deform during use, which could lead to entrapment, falls, or escape.

6. Mattress vertical displacement:Ensures children cannot easily lift the mattress, which might cause entrapment and suffocation.

7. Accessory testing requirements:Addresses any play yards that now or in the future might include accessories such as toys and diaper changing stations. The standard pays special attention to hazards related to improper assembly of bassinet accessories.

8. Labeling requirements:Cover multiple hazards such as falls from play yards, suffocation from soft bedding, and strangulation from cords.

Additionally, play yards with bassinet attachments must meet both play yard and bassinet requirements. Play yards are similar to non-full-size cribs but should not be confused. Play yards have non-rigid sides.

What Type of Mattress Should Be Used in a Play Yard?

Instructions should specify that only the mattress provided with the play yard is to be used to prevent head entrapment and suffocation between the mattress, sides, and floor structure. Manufacturer instructions should emphasize securing the mattress to the play yard floor. CPSC staff also recommend consumers not use supplemental mattresses, as these may create gaps that pose entrapment hazards.

What Are the Additional Requirements for Play Yards under the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)?

Play yards must comply with requirements regarding surface coatings, lead content, testing and certification, registration cards, and tracking labels.

1. Surface Coating Restrictions:Play yards must not be coated with paint containing lead above 0.009%.

2. Lead Content Limits:Total lead content in any accessible part must not exceed 100 ppm (0.01%).

3. Phthalate Limits:Plasticized components must not contain more than 0.1% of any of eight specified phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP, and DCHP.

4. Testing and Certification:Like all products designed or intended for children 12 years or younger, play yards must be tested by CPSC-accepted third-party labs to comply with play yard standards and other applicable child product safety rules. Domestic manufacturers or importers must issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) based on this testing.

5. Product and Packaging Labeling:Durable infant products, such as play yards, must have permanent specific label information, including tracking labels on the product and packaging. Additional product markings and product registration cards must be attached.

China JJR Laboratoryis a CPSC-recognized laboratory, ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, with CNAS and A2LA certifications, providing comprehensive 16 CFR Part 1221 testing and product evaluation services for baby play yards.