Sponsored by Koala Kare
Soon, it will no longer be business as usual when it comes to high chairs. A new federal standard (ASTM F404-18) to improve the safety of all high chairs, both in restaurants and at home, was approved recently by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and will take effect on June 19, 2019.
The new safety standard addresses the performance and testing requirements for high chairs. As a result, restaurant owners and managers, and their high chair suppliers may be impacted and they must be aware of what makes a high chair compliant and where to find compliant models before the new standard takes effect.
MAKING SAFE CHILD SEATING A PRIORITY
There are currently commercial high chairs that were purposely designed to meet this standard and are already compliant. It is recommended that you check with your supplier to determine if your chairs meet the standard.
The ASTM standard defines a high chair as: a free standing chair for a child up to three years of age which has a seating surface more than 15 inches above the floor and elevates the child normally for the purposes of feeding or eating. The standard further specifies that a high chair may be sold with or without a tray.
ASTM F404-18 addresses several specific hazards, including: issues related to the seat surface area, restraint system, armrest, tray and footrest; design, stability and other general product issues; and fall hazards. The new measure clearly outlines the new safety requirements for all high chairs whether they are used in public establishments or in the home:
- Rearward stability to prevent chairs from tipping backward
- Warning labels about tipping hazards
- Passive crotch restraint system
- Active three-point restraint system
- Product registration to be alerted to possible recalls
Product registration cards are required to ship with the product. As part of this effort to increase safety, you are encouraged to complete the CPSC’s product registration card requirement to improve the effectiveness and response rates for possible recalls.
The registration card will include prepaid postage and a section to keep for your records. If you forget to register or misplace the card, the high chair manufacturer will provide the option to register via the Internet or by e-mail. Registration will allow manufacturers to maintain the contact information of those who register their products, and places the manufacturer name and contact information, model name and number and the date of manufacture on each product.
A COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST
Restaurant owners and managers who want to ensure they are complying with the new requirements and providing the safest child seating options possible for patrons should plan to do the following:
- Work with a trusted partner to determine which chairs meet the new standard.
- Conduct an audit of your current high chair inventory to determine your need for compliant chairs.
- Ask manufacturers if they are compliant.
Vetting products carefully will ensure you have compliant chairs and communicating with your supplier will position you for success.
June 19, 2019 will be here before you know it. It’s time to start preparing!