UNITED STATES

CPSC Issues Final Rule Establishing Mandatory Standard for Neck Floats

On 15 December 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a Final Rule establishing a new mandatory safety standard for neck floats, codified at 16 CFR § 1250.5. This rule establishes additional performance requirements and revised labelling requirements, which are in addition to ASTM F963, specifically for neck floats to address fatal drowning hazards associated with these products. The rule is effective 15 June 2026 and applies to neck floats manufactured after 15 June 2026.

Key Definitions (16 CFR § 1250.5(b)):

• Neck float means an article, whether inflatable or not, that encircles the neck, supports the weight of the child by being secured around the neck (such as by fastening, tightening, or other methods), is used as an instrument of play in water environments including sinks, baths, paddling pools, and swimming pools, and is intended for use by children up to and including 4 years of age in water environments including sinks, baths, paddling pools, and swimming pools.
• Expected weight capacity means the maximum weight capacity the neck float is rated for, per the manufacturer's recommended use instructions.
• Restraint system means interconnecting components, whether adjustable or not, that are integral to a neck float and are intended to hold the occupant in position relative to the neck float. A restraint system uses fastening mechanisms, such as buckles or Velcro straps, to secure together.

Note: Neck floats remain subject to other generally applicable toy requirements in ASTM F963–23 (e.g., certain chemical and material restrictions), in addition to these neck-float-specific provisions.

Performance Requirements (16 CFR § 1250.5(c)) — Summary

• Conditioning Procedure
  Neck floats must undergo a three-part conditioning procedure prior to any other required testing:
  • Thermal Conditioning (based on ANSI/CAN/UL 12402–9:2022 temperature cycling, with modifications): The cold temperature exposure is adjusted from −30° C to −10 ± 2°C, and thermal conditioning is reduced to a single 8-hour period at both hot (60°±2 C) and cold extremes.
  • Chlorinated Salt Water Exposure: Submerge the neck float in a solution of 32 g NaCl/L, containing 2 ppm chlorine at pH 7.0–7.8, for 8 hours in darkness at room temperature.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) Light Exposure This incorporates sections 4.2.1.1–4.2.1.4 of ANSI/APSP/ICC–16 2017. The required duration for all four UV conditioning methods has been reduced by 75 per cent to reflect foreseeable outdoor use conditions better. For example, methods (a) and (b) are reduced from 720 hours to 180 hours.

        Important: Any inflatable component(s) of the neck float must be deflated during the entire conditioning procedure.

• Minimum Buoyancy Requirements
  Neck floats must demonstrate a minimum upward buoyancy ≥ 30% of the expected weight capacity.
  
  For neck floats utilising inherently buoyant components, those components must lose no more than 5% of initial buoyancy when tested per the referenced buoyancy method, including no more than a 5% loss after 24 hours of submersion (as specified in the rule’s buoyancy method).
  
  For neck floats utilising inflatable components, the buoyancy test is conducted with inflatable component(s) inflated to 0.1 ± 0.01 PSIG internal air pressure.
  
  The “expected weight capacity” used for buoyancy testing is determined based on the manufacturer’s recommended user weight or (if higher) a value based on the manufacturer’s recommended user age, consistent with the rule’s table-based approach.
  
  
  
• Restraint System Requirements
  To reduce the likelihood of restraint system failure that could allow a child to slip through, all fastening mechanisms must have either:

• • a double-action release requiring two distinct, simultaneous actions to release; or
  • a single-action release requiring a minimum of 50 N to release.

         The restraint system must also comply with the integrity requirements of ASTM F833–21 section 6.4.4, when tested per section 7.5.1 (as incorporated with specific exclusions).

         The integrity test method includes applying a 200 N force to each attachment point and repeating as specified (i.e., multiple cycles per attachment point, per the incorporated method).

• Neck Opening Test
  The neck opening test requires the neck float’s neck opening not to admit the passage of a specified head probe when subjected to specified dynamic movement, simulating movement and deformation during foreseeable use.
  
  Key setup and test elements include:
  • Prior to testing, inflatable components must be set to 0.1 ± 0.01 PSIG, and adjustable restraint straps must be at the loosest setting.
  • The neck opening surfaces must be saturated with a baby wash solution (prepared per the referenced method).
  • A specified head probe (weighted to M1) and hanging weight (M2) are used and set using the rule’s age-based table parameters.
  • The hanging weight is swung for alternating cycles (front-to-back and side-to-side) at the specified angles/durations per the rule, for up to ten cycles.
  • Failure condition: If the head probe fully slips through the neck opening during the test, the product fails (i.e., the neck opening admits passage).

Labeling and Instructional Literature Requirements (16 CFR § 1250.5(d)):

Neck floats and their packaging must now comply with revised mandatory warning requirements under § 1250.5(d). These new warnings replace the warning text previously required by section 5.4 of ASTM F963–23.

The warnings must be in English, conspicuous, permanent, and in a colour contrasting with the background. They must appear on the principal display panel (for packaging) and also be provided on the product itself, as specified by the rule. The message panel text must include strong, explicit language, such as:

• "THIS PRODUCT DOES NOT PREVENT DROWNING".
• A warning that children have died from slipping through neck floats.
• A statement that the neck opening can expand during use even if it feels snug.
• Specific age and weight limits must be filled in with bold text.
• For inflatable products, a requirement to "{Check for leaks before each use. Never use with leaks.}" is mandatory.

Instructional Literature must also include these warnings and provide clear directions on how to check for adequate fit and, for inflatable products, clear directions for testing for leaks prior to each use

For exact wording/graphics and full formatting parameters, refer to the Final Rule’s specified warning labels.

Prohibited Stockpiling (16 CFR § 1250.5(e)):

The Final Rule prohibits manufacturers from stockpiling noncompliant neck floats to circumvent the rule’s purpose.

Specifically, firms cannot manufacture or import noncompliant products in a given month at a rate exceeding 105% of the “base period” (average monthly volume in the last 13 months immediately preceding promulgation).

Certification / Third-Party Testing:

The Final Rule will become effective on 15 June 2026.  To comply with the Consumer Product Safety Act, all neck floats manufactured after 15 June 2026 must undergo testing at a CPSC-accepted third-party lab for certification of children's products, as outlined in the 16 CFR 1110 rule. Certification should cover applicable ASTM F963–23 requirements as well as the additional neck float-specific requirements in 16 CFR § 1250.5.

Resources:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-15/pdf/2025-22827.pdf

Enquiry:

For questions and additional information, please contact Dr Pratik Ichhaporia (pratikichhaporia@eurofinsus.com,+1-669-837-2257) or David Hong (David.Hong@cpt.eurofinscn.com).