ISPA Leads Effort To Create New Crib Safety Requirements
Crib mattresses are safer today thanks to the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA). The mattress industry trade association led the way in developing a new ASTM voluntary crib mattress standard, which sets a size requirement for crib mattresses and establishes a test method to confirm this size. ASTM is a standard setting body that uses a committee stakeholder process to establish safety and other product standards and this new standard creates a safer sleep environment for babies and infants. It requires that crib mattresses include a label with safety warnings to advise consumers to make sure their crib mattress properly fits within a crib and warnings to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The new standard was crafted to address safety concerns over possible gaps between the crib mattress and the crib that could create an area where a baby could become entrapped or could suffocate.
“The mattress industry took the lead in addressing this important safety issue,” noted ISPA Vice President of Government Relations & Policy, Christopher Hudgins. “This new standard will mean that parents and infants can sleep comfortably at night knowing their new crib mattress meets the latest safety requirements.”
ISPA established and led a working group of its members and other crib mattress producers to develop an initial draft of the standard. The draft standard was then submitted to ASTM where ISPA, regulatory agencies and consumer advocates developed the consensus, which was issued today.
This new standard will be voluntary although many, if not all, crib mattress manufacturers are expected to meet it. The Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association currently has a certification program for products that meet ASTM standards and is creating a certification for crib mattresses as well.
For more information, visit www.sleepproducts.org.
About the International Sleep Products Association: Established in 1915, the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the growth, profitability and stature of the mattress industry. As the industry’s trade organization, ISPA represents nearly 700 mattress manufacturers and suppliers throughout the world.