New Rules Keep Toddlers Safe from Gate Mishaps
Published Date: 4/1/2026
Rule
Summary
The Consumer Product Safety Commission is updating the safety rules for gates and enclosures to follow the newest 2025 safety standards. This change affects manufacturers and sellers who must meet the updated rules by July 19, 2026. The update keeps kids safer and doesn’t add big costs but makes sure products stay top-notch and reliable.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
No pet-entry openings allowed
Under ASTM F1004-25, gates and enclosures may not include features or openings that allow unassisted pet entry or exit. This change, which becomes the CPSC mandatory standard on July 19, 2026, is intended to reduce head entrapment, climbing, escape, and related child injuries or deaths.
Federal rule preempts state rules
When the ASTM F1004-25-based rule takes effect on July 19, 2026, state or local requirements dealing with the same risk of injury cannot be established or continued unless they are identical to the federal standard. States may apply to CPSC for an exemption from that preemption under certain circumstances.
New mandatory gate standard
If you make or sell expansion gates or expandable enclosures, your products must comply with ASTM F1004-25 as the federal standard starting July 19, 2026. The rule applies to products manufactured after that date and manufacturers/importers remain required to certify compliance under the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Labeling clarified for pressure gates
For pressure-mounted gates that provide wall cups or similar hardware, the required warning that wall cups must be installed must remain separate on on-product labels, but ASTM F1004-25 clarifies that the warning need not be separate on retail packaging or in the instructions. This clarification takes effect as part of the mandatory standard on July 19, 2026.
Third-party testing still required
Gates and enclosures remain classified as children's products, so manufacturers and importers must continue to rely on CPSC-accepted third party conformity assessment bodies for testing and certification. ASTM F1004-25 does not change testing requirements, equipment, or protocols, and labs competent to test to ASTM F1004-22 are considered capable of testing to ASTM F1004-25.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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