ASTM Bassinets/Cradles Meeting – October 23, 2012 – Meeting Log

Subcommittee Chairman, Scott Lewis, Delta Children’s Products

ASTM ballot 12-06 closed and there were no negatives on the bassinet mattress flatness 

test requirement and procedure. The test procedure, as balloted, is essentially identical to 

the NPR (the requirement and the rationale are slightly different). 

The comments from the ballot were reviewed:

1) Editorial - remove the arrow on figure 8 and the reference to 10 pounds since that 

is no longer part of the procedure (these are not present in the NPR). 

2) Rewrite the rationale, it is too long, redundant, and needs to be clearer (this was 

already done in the NPR). 

3) The pass/fail criteria allowed for averaging 3 test, and there is no rationale for that 

(the NPR does not allow the averaging of 3 tests). 

ASTM will take action on #1 and #2 above, before publication. F2194-12b was approved 

October 1st and will contain this new requirement and procedure. Publication is expected 

in the next 30 days. 

Bassinet Stability Task Group –

Review of the outline of the draft requirement/procedure (a similar and essentially 

identical requirement and test procedure is included in the NPR). See below:

ASTM F2194-12 Bassinet Bed Stability Task Group Version 8.3.12

1) Change stability testing procedures to use CAMI Newborn dummy, rather than CAMI Infant 

dummy:

2.3 CAMI Newborn Dummy (See Fig X)1

FIG. X CAMI Newborn Dummy

 1

Drawing numbers 126-0000 through 126-0015 (sheets 1 through 3), 126-0017 through 126-0027, a parts list entitled “Parts List for CAMI 

Newborn Dummy”, and a construction manual entitled, “Construction of the Newborn Infant Dummy” (July 1992). Copies of the materials 

may be inspected at NHTSA’s Docket Section, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5109, Washington, DC, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 

800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
7.4.4 Place the CAMI Infant Newborn Dummy, Mark II, on the sleeping pad in the center of the product 

face up with the arms and legs straightened.

Rationale 

The newborn CAMI dummy represents a 50th percentile newborn infant, which is a more appropriate 

user of a bassinet than the CAMI infant dummy, which represents a 50th percentile 6-month old infant. 

2) Add associated definitions to go with the test requirement/procedure to address hazards 

associated with the stability of removable bassinets

3.1. 3 conspicuous, adj—describes a label or indicator that is visible, when the bassinet/cradle is in a 

manufacturer’s recommended use position, to a person standing near the bassinet/cradle at any one position 

around the bassinet/cradle but not necessarily visible from all other positions.

3.1.A bassinet bed, n – the sleeping area of the bassinet, containing the sleep surface and side walls. 

3.1.B removable bassinet bed, n – A bassinet bed that is designed, to separate from the base/stand

without the use of tools. 

3.1.C false latch/lock visual indicator, n – a warning system, using contrasting bright colors, lights, or 

other similar means designed to visually alert caregivers when a removable bassinet bed is not properly 

locked onto its stand/base. 

3.1.D intended use orientation, n – The bassinet bed orientation (i.e., the position where the head and 

foot ends of the bassinet bed are located), with respect to the base/stand, as recommended by the 

manufacturer for intended use. 

3) Add a test requirement/procedure to address hazards associated with the stability of removable 

bassinets

6.X Removable Bassinet Bed Attachment - Any product containing a removable bassinet bed with a 

latching or locking device intended to secure the bassinet bed to the stand/base, shall comply with 6.X.1, 

or 6.X.2, or 6.X.3, or 6.X.4 or 6.X.5 when tested in accordance with 7.X.

6.X.1 The base/stand shall not support the bassinet bed (i.e., the bassinet bed collapses from the 

stand and contacts the floor). 

6.X.2 The lock/latch shall automatically engage under the weight of the bassinet bed (without any 

other force or action).

6.X.3 The sleep surface of the bassinet bed shall be at least 20° off from a horizontal plane when 

the bassinet bed is in an unlocked position.

6.X.4 The bassinet shall provide a false latch/lock visual indicator(s) that is conspicuous, at a 

minimum, on the two longest sides of the product. 

6.X.5 The bassinet bed shall not tip over and shall retain the CAMI newborn dummy when tested 

in accordance with 7.X.5.3. 

7.X Removable Bassinet Bed Attachment Tests

7.X.1 Assemble the bassinet/cradle base/stand only, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

7.X.2 Place the base/stand in one of the manufacturer’s recommended use positions.

7.X.3 Place the base/stand and the inclinometer on a flat level horizontal surface (0 +/- 0.5°) to establish a 

test plane. Zero the inclinometer.

7.X.4 Remove the mattress pad from the bassinet bed.

NOTE 4—For those mattresses that are integral with the mattress support, do not remove the mattress and perform all 

angle measurements for 7.X on a 6 by 6 by 3⁄8-in. nominal aluminum block placed on the center of the mattress.

7.X.5 , Place the bassinet bed on the base/stand in the intended use orientation without engaging any latch 

or lock mechanism. If the bassinet bed can rest on the base/stand in its intended use orientation in more 

than one lateral unlocked position, the unit shall be evaluated in the lateral position most likely to fail the 

requirements outlined in 6.X (suggest we add a figure to demonstrate this).
7.X.5.1 If the base/stand supports the bassinet bed, place the inclinometer on the mattress support 

at the approximate center of the mattress support. Care should be taken to avoid seams, snap fasteners, or 

other items that may affect the measurement reading. Record the angle measurement. 

7.X.5.2 If the base/stand supports the bassinet bed and the angle of the mattress support surface is 

less than 20 degrees of horizontal, evaluate whether the bassinet has a visual indicator per 6.X.4. 

7.X.5.3 If the base/stand supports the bassinet bed, and the angle of the mattress support surface is 

less than 20 degrees of horizontal, and the bassinet does not contain a false latch/lock indicator, test the 

unit in accordance with sections 7.4.2-7.4.7. 

7.X.6 Repeat 7.X.3 through 7.X.5 for all of the manufacturer’s base/stand positions. 

7.X.7 If the product design allows it, repeat 7.X.2 through 7.X.6 with the bassinet bed rotated 180° from the 

intended use orientation. 

Rationale 

This test requirement addresses fatal and non-fatal incidents involving bassinet beds that tipped over 

or fell off their base/stand when they were not properly locked/latched to their base/stand or the latch 

failed to engage as intended. Products that appear to be in an intended use position when the lock or latch 

is not properly engaged can create a false sense of security by appearing to be stable. Unsecured or misaligned lock/latch systems are a hidden hazard because they not easily seen by consumers due to being 

located beneath the bassinet or covered by decorative skirts. In addition, consumers will avoid activating 

lock/latch mechanisms for numerous reasons if a bassinet bed appears stable when placed on a stand/base. 

Because of these foreseeable use conditions, this requirement has been added to ensure that bassinets with 

a removable bassinet bed feature will be inherently stable or it is obvious that they are not properly 

secured.

6.X. allows bassinet bed designs that: 

1) cannot be supported by the base/stand in an unlocked configuration, 

2) automatically lock and cannot be placed in an unlocked position on the base/stand, 

3) are clearly and obviously unstable when the lock/latch is misaligned or unused, 

4) provide a visual warning to consumers when the product is not properly locked onto the stand/base, 

or 

5) have lock/latch mechanisms that are not necessary to provide needed stability. 

Comments by section above:

1) Change to the Newborn CAMI (instead of the Infant CAMI) for the stability test 

(matches the NPR)

No comments

2) New or revised definitions (matches the NPR)

a. (conspicuous) revised to include indicator, 

Comment – need to better define how to define conspicuous. The current definition says 

that it is when the product is in the manufactures recommended use position and what it 

is the indicator is trying to do, is show when it is not in the recommended use position. 

But, comment was also raised that this is the definition being used in other standards and 

has worked so far. 

b. bassinet bed

No comments
c. removable bassinet bed

“Removable bassinet bed – A bassinet bed that is designed to separate from the 

base/stand without the use of tools.” 

Comment – wants added “...designed and intended by the manufacturer to separate 

from...”

Or, add in a use mode that demonstrates that it is designed to be used separately from the 

stand. 

d. false latch/lock visual indicator, 

Comment – how about allowing an audio indicator? What does the term “bright colors” 

mean? Is that too subjective? And should it be reworded to remove the language that says 

“not properly locked” and turn it into compliance language from the standard?

e. intended use orientation. 

Comment - Is there a need to define the intended use position (lateral position)?

3) Removable bassinet bed performance requirement (matches the NPR):

6.x.1 Comment – why does it have to fall to the floor? What if the stand collapsed 

because the bed was not properly attached, but the bassinet stayed level but it didn’t 

contact the floor (like an ironing board)? Is the word “collapse” correct? Should it be 

“fall from” instead? 

Comment – put “or” between each requirement, so that it is clear you only have to meet 

one of the requirements. 

Comment - Is 6.x.2 required? If it auto locks, then it will obviously pass the stability test 

at the end of the test procedure. 

4) Reviewed the test procedure (close to the NPR, missing a figure and editorial 

changes):

Comments –

7.x.6 Add the words “manufacture’s recommended use” 

7.x.4 Change the block to be the steel 6 x 4 one being used for the flatness tests

7.x.7 “if the design allows it” clarify what that means. 

7.x.4 Should a weight be added to simulate a baby?
Are bassinet accessories to a play yards included in this requirement?

7.x.5 Is there too much flexibility for the test lab to be in the position “most likely to 

fail”?

General comments discussed the approach of allowing the bed to fall or become unstable 

as a pass to the requirement is not a sound way to go. And is it foreseeable that the child 

might be in the bassinet, when the parent attempts to place it on the stand? 

Suggestion made that the task group go back and look at the specific incidents involved 

and try to narrow the scope of the requirement as to only address them. 

New Business:

Suffocation warning (Section 8.4.2.2) in the current standard – it now requires letter 

height of 0.4” in the instructions. Commenter wants it to mirror what is in the play yard 

standard, which is half that size. 

Subcommittee agreed and that recommended change will go out to ballot. 

8.4.2.2. also mentions “standard face type”. What is meant by that? Does standard mean 

not bold? Suggestion made to leave it up to the manufacturer, by removing the reference. 

Just say, “The remainder of the warning statement shall have characters whose upper case 

letters shall be at least...” This will also be balloted. 

NPR Update:

In response to general comments/questions regarding the NPR – Staff provided a review 

of the differences between F2194-12b and the NPR. Summarized that there are now three 

differences – the requirement for mattress flatness, the removable bassinet bed 

requirement/test procedure (plus the definitions), and the change in the CAMI dummy for 

stability. 

ASTM staff outlined how they can interact with CPSC during the NPR process. A motion 

was made to have ASTM officially submit to CPSC staff the latest version of F2194-12b 

during the comment period.