Welcome to the February edition of the Alston & Bird CPSC Recall Snapshot.

Earlier this month, the CPSC announced a new federal standard for infant slings, geared toward preventing deaths and injuries to young children. The new standard requires carriers to be able to carry three times the manufacturer’s maximum recommended weight; to be more durable to avoid tears, breakage, etc.; and to be able to prevent children from falling out of the slings during normal use. The standard also requires the slings to have permanently attached warnings and come with instructions and illustrated diagrams for the proper position of a child in the sling. The warning labels must address the suffocation hazards posed by slings and prevention measures, the hazards of children falling out of slings, and a reminder for caregivers to check the buckles, snaps, rings, and other hardware to make sure no parts are broken. The standard applies to all slings manufactured or imported after January 20, 2018.