CPSC Rule Would Remove Obsolete Infant-Product Provisions

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has published a direct final rule that would remove two outdated federal provisions covering infant bouncer seats and stationary activity centers. The action does not repeal the newer mandatory safety standards that apply to those products.

The CPSC published the rule in the Federal Register on July 22, 2026. The agency said the older provisions, which date to 1971, are now duplicative or superseded by more comprehensive standards adopted later for each product category.

What the rule would remove

The action would remove the provisions in 16 CFR 1500.18(a)(6) and 16 CFR 1500.86(a)(4) as they apply to infant bouncer seats and stationary activity centers. Those provisions address hazards including pinching, shearing, exposed springs, openings that could trap a child’s fingers, and accidental collapse.

The CPSC said the newer standards address those same hazards with more specific and repeatable testing requirements. The agency also said the older language does not fully address risks such as falls from elevated surfaces, structural integrity, occupant retention, stability, or loading.

What remains in effect

Current mandatory safety requirements remain in place under 16 CFR parts 1229 and 1238. Infant bouncer seats manufactured after December 19, 2022, must meet requirements incorporating ASTM F2167-22, the current mandatory standard for that product category.

Stationary activity centers manufactured after July 5, 2025, must meet requirements incorporating ASTM F2012-24. That standard covers products intended to remain stationary while allowing a child to sit or stand within a limited range of motion.

The CPSC’s durable infant or toddler product guidance also identifies broader requirements that may apply, including third-party testing, certification, tracking labels, and registration cards.

What happens next

The public comment period ends August 21, 2026. Because this is a direct final rule, the CPSC said it may withdraw the action before it takes effect if it receives a significant adverse comment.

If the agency does not withdraw the rule, it is scheduled to become effective September 21, 2026. That future effective date is separate from the manufacturing-date requirements for the current product standards.

What parents and retailers should take from it

For parents, caregivers, and retailers, the main point is that the CPSC is cleaning up older regulatory language rather than eliminating current federal safety protections for infant bouncer seats or stationary activity centers.

Consumers should continue checking product-specific instructions, manufacturer certification information, tracking labels, and current CPSC guidance. The rule does not cover every infant product, and it does not mean that older or noncompliant products automatically meet today’s requirements.

The next key question is whether the CPSC receives a significant adverse comment by August 21. Until then, the regulatory cleanup remains scheduled but not yet effective.

Sources

• Federal Register: CPSC direct final rule
• CPSC Infant Bouncer Seats Business Guidance