Tech Watch: CPSC publishes final rule of the new mandatory standard for clothing storage units

CPSC STANDARD (16 CFR 1261)

ASTM F2057-19

Requirements for interlocks (1261.3)

Gradually apply over a period of at least 5 seconds a 30-pound horizontal. Pull force on each locked drawer, one drawer at a time, and hold the force for at least 10 seconds.

Performance requirement. The interlock will be disabled or bypassed for the stability testing in § 1261.4(c).

Not mentioned.

Requirements for stability:

Tilt the clothing unit forward by placing a test block (0.43”) under the unit’s most rear floor support. The purpose of which is to simulate a tilt associated with clothing storage units placed on carpeted surfaces.

Note: Using a 0.43 inch test block would provide an equivalent tilt angle to that in the NPR and adequately simulate the effect of carpet.

Does not consider tilting associated with use on carpeting.

(Testing will be performed on Flat surface)

Static loads to be placed within storage compartments will be determined via the functional volume of drawers and other storage compartments (if 50 percent or more of the drawers and pull out shelves by functional volume are open (without interlock); if less than 50 percent of the drawers and pull out shelves by functional volume are open (with interlock).

Does not consider the loading of storage compartments.

Test method (with Method 1 & Method 2): All these methods are also performed when the storage units are loaded as calculated above.

Dynamic forces will be applied to extended drawer fronts with pre-loaded drawers. The purpose of which is to simulate the dynamic forces associated with children climbing on units.

Different test methods and requirements than those in ASTM F2057-19 standard.

Test method:

Does not consider dynamic forces, instead the standard requires that static loads are applied to extended drawer fronts.

Requirements to provide performance and technical data by labeling.

The manufacturer shall provide a hang tag with every clothing storage unit that provides the ratio of tip-over moment as tested to the minimally allowed tip-over moment of that model clothing storage unit.

Size. Every hang tag shall be at least 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall.

The scale shall start at 1 and end at 2.

There are two sides for the hangtag.

Format. The hang tag shall be formatted as shown in below figures. The background of the front of the tag shall be printed in full bleed process yellow or equivalent; the background of the back of the tag shall be white. All type and graphics shall be printed in process black.

Requires warning labels be displayed on products.

Format. The warning label shall use the signal word panel content and format specified in Section 8.2.2 of ASTM F2057-19, Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units, and the font, font size, and color specified in Section 8.2.3 of ASTM F2057-19 (incorporated by reference, see paragraph (c) of this section). Each safety symbol shall measure at least 1 inch by 1 inch. See figure 4 to this paragraph (a)(3).

Size. The warning label shall be at least 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall.

Location:

1. For units with one or more drawer(s):
   • The warning label shall be located on the interior side panel of a drawer in the upper most drawer row or, if the top of the drawer(s) in the upper most drawer row is more than 56 inches from the floor, on the interior side panel of a drawer in the upper most drawer row below 56 inches from the floor, as measured from the top of the drawer.
   • The top left corner of the warning label shall be positioned within 1 inch of the top of the drawer side panel and within the front 1/3 of the interior drawer depth.
2. For units with only doors:
   • The warning label shall be located on an interior side or back panel of the cabinet behind the door(s), or on the interior door panel. The warning label shall not be obscured by a shelf or other interior element.

Requires that F2057-19 warning labels be displayed on products.

Or

Location:

The warnings label shall be in a conspicuous location when in use; the back of the unit intended to be placed against the wall is not considered conspicuous when in use.

• Ex: On the interior side panel of a drawer in the upper most drawer.
• For Door: On an interior side or back panel of the cabinet behind the door(s), or on the interior door panel.

Identification Mark

The clothing storage unit shall have an identification mark or label.

Size. The identification mark or label shall be at least 2 inches wide by 1 inch tall.

Content. The identification mark or label shall contain the following:

• Name and address (city, state, and zip code) of the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer; the model number; and the month and year of manufacture.
• The statement “Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Clothing Storage Units,” as appropriate; this label may spell out “U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission” instead of “U.S. CPSC.”

Format. The identification mark or label text shall not be less than 0.1 in. (2.5 mm) capital letter height. The text and background shall be contrasting colors ( e.g., black text on a white background).

Location. The identification mark or label shall be visible from the back of the unit when the unit is fully assembled.

Permanency. The identification mark or label shall be legible and attached after it is tested using the methods specified in Section 7.3 of ASTM F2057-19, Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units.

Nil

There is no mention of the standard for tip restraints.

Requires F3096-14 compliant tip restraints.