Best Practice Quality

Best Practice Quality had the pleasure of participating in subcommittee week at ASTM International at the end of October. Collaboration between industry, regulators, and consumer advocates is so important in the creation of safety standards and we value the opportunity to be a part of improving juvenile product safety. Here are a couple of key takeaways from the meetings: 1. A subcommittee will soon begin work on standards for external childproofing locks and latches,? 2. The Infant Wearable Blankets subcommittee is continuing to work hard on delivering a safety standard for wearable blankets and swaddles.? 3. The Infant Loungers Subcommittee agreed to initiate an administrative ballot to decide whether to continue efforts to publish a standard or to disband, given the CPSC Negative and the upcoming Infant Support Cushions final rule effective May 5, 2025. Finally, we want to extend our congratulations to Jennifer King for receiving ASTM’s Committee F15 on Consumer Products award for Outstanding Achievement.

CPSC has published the Infant Support Cushion Final Rule (https://lnkd.in/gR_YfN66 ) What does this mean? ? ? The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released the final rule for infant support cushions, effective from November 4, 2024. If your company manufactures products covered by this rule, you’ll need to ensure compliance by May 4, 2024, which is 180 days from the publication date. What Products Are Covered? According to the rule, an "infant support cushion" includes “any product filled with or made from resilient materials like foam, batting, granular fill, gel, liquid, or gas, and is intended to support an infant’s weight or body part while reclining. This category also includes any removable covers sold with the cushion. Covered products encompass: * Infant pillows, loungers, and nursing pillows with lounging features * Head positioners and flat baby loungers * Crib and wedge pillows designed for infants * Infant sleep positioners (excluding FDA-regulated medical devices) * Stuffed toys marketed for infant support * Tummy time or lounging pillows, whether flat or inclined * Anti-rollover pillows with or without straps * Self-feeding pillows that hold a bottle in place * Pads, mats, and accessory pillows marketed for infant seats, strollers, or bouncers (when sold separately) Products already regulated as "durable infant products" under 16 CFR 1130.2(a) are not subject to this rule, helping to avoid overlapping regulatory requirements.” What Steps are needed for Compliance? To achieve compliance, we recommend beginning with an initial assessment and/or evaluation at a qualified testing lab. This can help identify specific areas where your product may not meet the rule. Addressing these gaps through targeted design adjustments will facilitate a smoother compliance process. How Can Best Practice Quality Help? Best Practice Quality offers support for navigating these new requirements. Our services include but are not limited to initial assessments, coordination with testing labs, and finding design experts for necessary modifications. We provide a free 60-minute consultation (90 minutes for JPMA members). To schedule, * go to BestPracticeQuality.com or * email us at [email protected]. For the full rule text, visit the Federal Register: Safety Standard for Infant Support Cushions.

Far too many recalled products are still being sold in secondhand markets or handed down. When recalled products are not removed from the marketplace, they continue to pose safety risks to babies. Keep your grandbabies safe by ensuring that used products haven't been recalled by checking at https://lnkd.in/dJwwpBc. #jpmababysafety

Moving a sleeping baby can be a daunting task, but their safety is always worth it. Keep sleep safe by using products that were meant for sleep. #jpmababysafety

According to a national survey, 25% of parents of children under 3 admit to unintentionally leaving their child behind in the car. Children have died in cars in outdoor temperatures as low as the 60's. Park. Look. Lock. #jpmababysafety #childpassengersafety

Did you know? If you are an importer of non-Children's Products and your products contain batteries that must meet Reese's law (ref 16 CFR 1263), then you are required to provide a General Certificate of Conformity (GCC). A A GCC is a mandatory document that needs to be issued for products that are affected by CPSC regulations (e.g. 16 CFR Part 1263) and included with each shipment imported into the USA. On January 1, 2025 you will be required to e-file your GCC through the CPSC portal. If you fail to do this then your product will likely be detained at the port of entry. If you would like to learn more about how to avoid delays and how to participate in the CPSC's beta testing for e-filing your GCC, then please reach out to us at Best Practice Quality and we can help you navigate the process. You can book your free initial consultation at https://lnkd.in/gxREXTrD or contact [email protected] #consumergoods #CPSC #efiling #BPQ

Best Practice Quality (BPQ) is excited to roll out our newest option: We now offer On-Demand Subscription contracts for those businesses who do not have a specific project need yet but still need some point specific support from time to time. Is that you? If you are interested in learning more then we encourage you to reach out and discover how this expanded service can support your Quality, Product Safety, Regulatory Compliance needs at the product and system level. Act now - Rates are increasing in July so we encourage you to check this out and lock in the current rate. We can help / we are your consulting solutions provider! Contact us at [email protected] or go to https://lnkd.in/gxREXTrD #ondemand #productsafety #compliance #bestpracticequality #bpq

A great summit! Learning more about how to best guide my clients in prioritizing their attention for the remainder of the year, meeting with congress, and connecting with industry colleagues always makes this a truly valuable annual trip to DC. Especially important take aways: 1. Manufacturers need to be aware of EPR rulemaking that may impact them as early as 2025. 2. Importers need to be ready for e-filing of their certificates starting in January 2025 and now can take advantage by participating in the expanded Beta testing program that CPSC has just announced. #JPMA

May was a busy month for Best Practice Quality as Kylee Rogers and I attended the ABC Kids Expo in Vegas followed by a productive week at ASTM JPMA meetings back in West Conshohocken PA. We are now looking forward to June with the JPMA Summit upcoming this week and the ICPHSO Regional in Bentonville later this month. If we didn't catch you in May then we hope to touch base with you in June. There is plenty to discuss with voluntary standards updates and ever evolving legislation. Please reach out to Kylee or I at [email protected] or [email protected]. or book your free initial consultation at https://lnkd.in/gxREXTrD. Let's talk! #ABCShow #KidsExpo #JPMA #ASTM #ProductSafety

Looking forward to meeting up with everyone and especially learning more about efiling!