The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a new mandatory safety standard for clothing storage furniture in the Federal Register today, giving the standard a September 1, 2023 effective date.
The agency voted April 19 to adopt ASTM International’s F2057-23 voluntary safety specification for clothing storage units as a mandatory safety standard required under the STURDY Act. STURDY is the “Stop Tip-overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth” Act, legislation enacted in December as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2023.
The new direct final rule based on F2057-23 takes effect 120 days after its publication, unless the Commission receives a significant adverse comment within 30 days, or by June 3. If the Commission receives such a comment, it will withdraw the direct final rule and begin a new rulemaking.
Assuming no adverse comments are received, the new stability requirements will apply to all units within the scope of the rule with a manufacture date on or after the rule’s September 1 effective date.
The CPSC April action included a stay of the existing CPSC Final Rule that was adopted in November 2022 and was slated to take effect May 24, 2023. The stay voided that rule and its May 24 effective date.