The ASTM F2907 – 12 Consumer Safety Specification for Sling Carriers is a new safety specification published by ASTM International to address certain safety concerns identified with the popular juvenile product known as a "sling carrier". The standard defines a sling carrier as follows:

A sling carrier is "a product of fabric or sewn fabric construction, which is designed to contain a child from birth (full term infant weighing 8 lb (3.6 kg) or more) through 35 lb (15.9 kg), in an upright or reclined position, while being supported by the caregiver’s torso" and a product that is "worn on the front, hip or back of the caregiver, with the child either facing towards or away from the caregiver or reclined on the front only of the caregiver."

The Challenge:
This standard addresses certain safety concerns by the application of various tests to replicate foreseeable use. Following are some examples:

Structural Integrity Testing

• Application of a static load to evaluate the maximum strength of the components and materials used in the construction of the sling
• Application of a dynamic load to approximate forces that a sling may be subjected to during daily use

Occupant Retention Testing

• Evaluation of the sling attachment systems for slippage during testing that represents day to day use

Flammability testing

• Evaluation of the fabric and materials for any flammability hazard

In addition, the standard assists manufacturers with imparting the education to the sling carrier users by providing standardized warnings regarding some of the hazards associated with improper use of the sling carrier and providing standardized images and pictograms regarding the proper infant positioning.

Are you prepared to incorporate these changes in your supply chain and ensure that your products comply with this new standard.

The Solution
Intertek, through our extensive global network, has a variety of services available to help you overcome the challenges related to complying with the ASTM toy safety standard and its requirements. Besides keeping you ｕｐｄａｔｅd on these and other new CPSC product safety developments, Intertek experts can assess your specific compliance and product testing needs and recommend ways to ensure that your toy and other product testing programs meet all the CPSC (and other US and international) requirements, in the most effective and efficient way possible.