JPMA creates certification program for infant sling carriers

Kids Today Staff -- Kids Today, 10/23/2012 11:05:10 AM

The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Assn. has added a certification program for infant sling carriers following a standard recently published by the ASTM.

The ASTM standard is voluntary as there are no government-imposed guidelines for infant sling carriers. The standard came about after meetings that included manufacturers, retailers, consumer advocate groups, consumers, industry members and staff from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To participate in the JPMA certification program, manufacturers need to submit an application to the JPMA and then submit all of its infant sling carrier designs to an independent lab. Some of the safety testing checks will include, among others:

• No hazardous sharp points, edges or small parts.

• Paint or surface coating must comply with standard.

• Exposed wood needs to be smooth and free from splinters.

• Permanent warning labels.

To qualify for certification, all of a company's infant sling carriers must meet both the ASTM standard and the JPMA Certification Program guidelines.

"JPMA is pleased to expand the JPMA Certification Program to include infant sling carriers," said Michael Dwyer, executive director of JPMA. "Consumers are looking for manufacturers to create safe juvenile products and by adding infant sling carriers to the JPMA Certification Program, parents and caregivers now know that sling carriers that display the certification logo have gone through extensive durability tests."