Clothing Storage Unit Tip-over Prevention — Date For New Safety Standard Announced

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced the compliance date for a new safety standard that hopes to prevent injuries and deaths related to dressers, wardrobes and other clothing storage units tipping over.

In this article we cover everything you need to know about the new safety standards, and how to prepare your business for these changes.

What Are The New Safety Measures?

The CPSC voted to adopt a mandatory safety standard, ASTM F2057-23, that will mandate additional tests for any clothing storage unit. Those safety tests will now include:

• A test for stability when the unit is placed on carpeting
• A test for stability with loaded drawers
• A test for stability with multiple drawers open
• A test that simulates the weight of children up to 60 pounds interacting with the unit

These rules comply with STURDY Act (Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth) which was signed into law in December 2022. STURDY empowered the CPSC to review and revise the safety standards for clothing storage units.

When Are These Safety Measures Going Into Effect?

The safety standard is anticipated to go into effect on September 1, 2023.

However, that date may be pushed back if the CPSC receives a significant adverse comment by June 5, 2023. In that case, the CPSC will publish a document in the Federal Register to withdraw this direct final rule before its effective date.

Why Are These Safety Standards Being Put Into Place?

In short, these safety measures are being put into place because of the potentially fatal danger unsecured dressers and other clothing storage units pose to consumers, specifically children.

The CPSC noted 234 consumer deaths between January 2000 and April 2022 due to clothing storage units tipping over. They also reported more than 84,000 injuries related to tip-overs between 2006 and 2021.

The majority of those deaths and injuries were children, prompting the CPSC to develop these new safety standards.

What Do These Safety Standards Mean For Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors and Retailers Of Stuffed Articles?

Mandatory labeling will now be required for clothing storage units that fall under the jurisdiction of this new safety standard. These warning labels must include multiple disclosures and images conforming to specific formatting requirements outlined in the ASTM F2057–23. 

If you need help complying with these new regulations, you have a partner in Global Registration Services. GRS can design and print labels for clothing storage units that are guaranteed to fulfill these requirements so you remain compliant.