Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) is an organization representing sellers, producers and educators. The organization does not create regulations but unites to help solve compliance issues, conduct community safety campaigns and improve regulatory standards. Here are things BCIA teaches about babywearing.
Every country has different laws regarding products that qualify to be sold legally in the markets. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a regulation in the US, carried out by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Products must go through a mechanical test to ensure no choking and strangulation hazards, and to guarantee the safety of consumers that use the product. As a consumer, one must check for a proper label, proper product registration and a proof of passing the mechanical testing.
A baby carrier is labeled in two ways: permanent tracking labels and care labels.
Permanent tracking labels are very important as it allows consumers to about product details and also gives a chance to know more about the manufacturer to suggest feedbacks. These labels include:
- Manufacturer’s address, phone number and website
- Date and place of manufacture
- Product number
- Special packaging information
Care labels are for helping consumers make optimum utility of the products. These labels include:
- Product origin
- How to not use instructions
- Care instructions
- Fiber content
Along with permanent tracking labels, care labels and product registration, check your carrier for the ASTM F2236 requirements which include a warning label, instructions on how to use, mechanical and physical tests proof and their hazards. For other wraps, pouches and slings check for ASTM F2907 which is still not mandatory for these products. Both these regulations are considered international standard.
Selling DIY carriers or selling second hand products are not exempt from the CPSC regulations. Any product that is non-compliant, if already sold in the first place, should not be resold. Any non-compliant product must be informed to the CPSC immediately in order to avoid potential choking and strangulation hazards. If consumers experience a certain babywearing product causing a considerable hazard, they can call the CPSC’s hotline or report about it on CPSC’s product database. This is very important for the safety of consumers and their children.
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