Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, FINAL RULES—CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS—CPSC updates safety standard for portable hook-on chairs, (Mar 30, 2026)

By WK Editorial Staff

The revisions add new performance, warning, and instruction requirements to mitigate hazards associated with battery-powered features.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued a direct final rule updating the mandatory safety standard for portable hook-on chairs to incorporate by reference the most recent version of the voluntary standard, ASTM F1235-25, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Portable Hook-on Chairs. The rule will take effect on July 19, 2026, unless CPSC receives a significant adverse comment by April 29, 2026. If such a comment is received, the Commission will publish a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing the direct final rule before its effective date (CPSC Direct final rule, 91 Fed. Reg. 15536 (Mar. 30, 2026)).

Background. In 2016, CPSC issued a mandatory safety rule that incorporated by reference ASTM F1235-15, codified at 16 C.F.R. part 1233. The mandatory standard included performance requirements, test methods, and requirements for warning labels and instructions addressing hazards to children. In 2018, the Commission incorporated by reference a revised voluntary standard, ASTM F1235-18.

Revised voluntary standard. On January 20, 2026, ASTM notified the Commission that it had approved and published another revised version of the voluntary standard, ASTM F1235-25. According to CPSC, this version contains substantive revisions that improve the safety of portable hook-on chairs by adding performance and marking requirements for batteries, battery compartments, and AC adapters. These provisions are consistent with other juvenile products. Based on staff's evaluation, the Commission will allow ASTM F1235-25 to become the new consumer product safety standard for portable hook-on chairs.

Performance, testing requirements. In ASTM F1235-25, ASTM added requirements for battery compartments to contain leaks, prevent charging of non-rechargeable batteries through design or circuitry, limit surface temperatures to 160 °F (71 °C) without causing fire or leakage, and ensure AC adapters meet national safety standards with output below 30 VDC and 8 amps. ASTM also added the peak temperature and battery leakage test. This test ensures that battery-powered functions operate at maximum intensity using specified battery types or AC power, under controlled conditions, to monitor peak temperature and verify safety without disabling protective features.

Warnings, instructions. ASTM added marking requirements for portable hook-on chairs with batteries. Products with battery compartments must be permanently and clearly labeled with battery specifications, and if they use non-replaceable batteries accessible by common tools, they must also be marked to indicate the batteries are not replaceable or include that information in the instructions. Finally, products using replaceable batteries must include cautionary instructions to prevent leaks and injuries. These instructions emphasize proper storage, disposal, and consistent battery replacement practices.

RegulatoryActivity: FinalRules ChildrensProductsNews GCNNews