16 CFR Part 1228 Safety Standard for Sling Carriers

Core purpose

The goal is to minimize the risks of injury or death associated with the use of baby carriers, particularly the risks of falls and suffocation. Between January 2003 and September 2016, the CPSC received a total of 159 incident reports involving baby carriers, of which 17 were fatal.

What is an “infant carrier”?

According to the definitions in 16 CFR Part 1228 and ASTM F2907, a baby carrier refers to:

Structural characteristics: A product composed of fabric or stitched fabric.

Usage method: The caregiver “wears” it on their body, with the baby placed inside the sling. The weight of the baby and the sling is supported by the caregiver’s torso.

Wearing position: Can be worn on the front, side or back of the caregiver's body, and the baby can face or back to the caregiver.

Posture requirements: Allow the baby to be in an upright or inclined posture, but the inclined posture is only used when wearing the baby on the front side of the body.

Weight Range: Typically suitable for infants born full-term up to a weight of 35 pounds (15.9 kilograms), although manufacturers may specify higher weight limits.

Testing and certification requirements

Third-party testing:

Infant carriers must undergo testing by a third-party laboratory accredited by the CPSC to ensure compliance with 16 CFR Part 1228/ASTM F2907-22 standards and all other applicable safety regulations for children’s products.

Child Product Certificate (CPC):

Domestic manufacturers or importers must issue a Child Product Certificate (CPC) based on third-party testing results. The Certificate’s Part 2 (Reference Standards) must clearly state: “16 CFR part 1228 – Sling carriers.”