Feds Tighten Rules on Baby Cribs to Prevent Tiny Tragedies
Published Date: 5/4/2026
Rule
Summary
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is updating the safety rules for full-size baby cribs to match the latest 2025 voluntary safety standards. This change affects crib makers and sellers, ensuring cribs stay super safe for babies. The new rules kick in on August 1, 2026, with no extra costs expected, but comments are open until June 3, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New Crib Standard Becomes Mandatory
The voluntary standard ASTM F1169-25 is incorporated into federal law and will be the mandatory CPSC standard for full-size baby cribs effective August 1, 2026. The rule applies to products manufactured after the rule's effective date and will take effect unless the Commission receives a significant adverse comment by June 3, 2026.
Stronger Rules for Mesh/Fabric Cribs
ASTM F1169-25 adds new performance and test requirements specifically for mesh- or fabric-sided full-size cribs and accessories to address entrapment and fall hazards. These new requirements (including barrier height, gap limits, and 20-pound outward force tests) are adopted as mandatory effective August 1, 2026 to improve crib safety for infants.
New Warning Labels and Instructions
The revised standard requires new marking and labeling for mesh/fabric-sided cribs, including a warning inside the top rail about infants rolling into space between the mattress and loose mesh, and a warning that the product must be fully erected prior to use. These labeling updates become mandatory with the incorporation of ASTM F1169-25 on August 1, 2026.
Testing and Certification Continue; Labs Can Adapt
Manufacturers and importers must continue to have full-size cribs tested by a CPSC-accepted third party and certify compliance under the Consumer Product Safety Act. CPSC expects existing accepted laboratories (used for parts 1219, 1220, and 1221) to be capable of testing to ASTM F1169-25 and that existing accreditations will cover testing when the revised standard goes into effect on August 1, 2026.
Federal Standard Preempts State Rules
Once the revised full-size crib standard takes effect, it preempts state or local requirements dealing with the same risk of injury unless the state requirement is identical or the state obtains an exemption from CPSC. The preemption effect applies when the CPSC standard is in effect, including after August 1, 2026.
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