The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) announced today a legislative proposal to ensure that car seats manufactured for sale in the United States no longer need to contain allegedly hazardous flame retardant (FR) chemicals. The bill, which will likely be introduced later this week, allows manufacturers the flexibility they need to build car seats that are smolder resistant without necessarily introducing FR chemicals into the materials used in manufacture. While the bill would repeal federal flammability regulations, car seats will still need to meet NHTSA test procedures on performance standards for belts, buckles, seat bottoms, armrests, and headrests. Car seat manufacturers must still report to NHTSA failures to satisfy the testing requirements, as well as any other safety-related defects concerning their car seats. NHTSA has the authority to conduct recalls of products that fail to meet the testing regulations or that contain safety-related defects. Regardless of whether there is a defect or failure to satisfy testing requirements, car seat manufacturers must also provide the following information to NHTSA on a quarterly basis: 1) production information, 2) information on incidents involving death or injury, 3) number of consumer complaints and warranty claims, and 4) copies of field reports. At their announcement event at the House Rayburn office building, JPMA reaffirmed their commitment to safety and the JPMA certification process. JPMA stated that their certification program helps their members supply parents with products that meet or exceed federal safety standards.
