Beginning June 28, 2011, all cribs manufactured and sold (including resale) must comply with new and improved federal safety standards. The new rules, which apply to full-size and non-full-size cribs, prohibit the manufacture or sale of traditional drop-side rail cribs, strengthen crib slats and mattress supports, improve the quality of hardware and require more rigorous testing.

Is this new regulation simply a ban on all drop-side rail cribs?

No, these are sweeping new safety rules that will bring a safer generation of cribs to the marketplace in 2011. CPSC's new crib standards address many factors related to crib safety in addition to the drop-side rail. A crib's mattress support, slats, and hardware are now required to be more durable and manufacturers will have to test to the new more stringent requirements to prove compliance.

Are all drop-side rail cribs "recalled" because of the new regulation?

There has not been a specific "recall" of all drop-side cribs due to the new regulation. Instead, some manufacturers recently have recalled their cribs in cooperation with the CPSC because a specific defect or risk of harm has been discovered relating to a particular crib. Although these recalls are separate from CPSC's new crib standards, traditional drop-side cribs will not meet the new crib standards that became effective on June 28, 2011, and cribs with traditional drop-sides cannot be sold after that date.

Is it okay for me to resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards?

Consumers, thrift stores, child care facilities, family child care homes and places of public accommodation should not resell, donate or give away a crib that does not meet the new crib standards, such as trying to resell the product through an online auction site or donating to a local thrift store. CPSC recommends disassembling the crib before discarding it.

Is the answer different if a piece ("immobilizer") has been added to my drop-side crib to prevent the side from moving up and down?

Consumers, thrift stores, child care facilities, family child care homes, and places of public accommodation should not resell, donate or give away a drop-side crib that has an added immobilizer because it still will not meet the new crib standards.

Are churches/church nurseries subject to the new crib standards?

The CPSIA does not provide any exclusion for churches. If a church operates a child care facility, the cribs that it provides must comply with CPSC's crib standards.

¹Reproduced from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website.

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LC JAN 2019 11-329
171-0973 (01/14)