Stroller Safety Regulations and Testing

Mandatory Stroller Regulations (USA)

We all know that baby strollers have to meet strict safety regulations, but who is responsible for deciding if the stroller is safe and what regulations do manufacturers have to follow?
In the USA, there are many regulations and tests that stroller manufacturers must follow. These regulations are published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
Before any stroller can be sold to the public it must go through rigorous testing to make sure it meets the ASTM standards. Each year the guidelines are updated in the hopes of making strollers safer.
The safety regulations regarding strollers and carriages published by the ASTM and are listed below.

Stroller Testing Conditions

The actual testing facility must meet certain requirements.
The testing facility floor must be made of concrete and covered by ⅛ inch thick vinyl flooring.
The testing room must be at a temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit.
The stroller must be completely assembled according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and all of the tests must be on the same model (unless the original is damaged). If the original stroller is damaged, a replacement will be used for the remainder of the testing.

General Requirements

There are several basic requirements that a stroller must meet before it goes through testing.
First of all there must be no sharp edges or points that could harm a child. Also, all small protective parts such as caps and plugs must be tested to see how easily they can be removed. If they are within a child’s reach and could be removed, this poses a choking hazard.

Stroller Latch Test

The stroller should be set up in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Apply 45 lb. of force at the place most likely to cause folding.
Gradually apply this force over 5 minutes and hold for 10 minutes.
Repeat this test five times then fold the stroller, unfold it, and do the test once more.

Protective Safety Test

All small, protective parts must be tested to make sure they cannot be removed. This type of test is called the “Torque Test Method.” Place 3 lb. of force over 5 seconds on each part, and turn it clockwise 180 degrees, then release and repeat, turning it in the other direction.
Another test is to place 15 lb. of force, and pull the part in the direction in which it would be most likely to break off. Hold for 10 seconds and then release.
The model must also be checked for pinching and scissoring hazards. If the stroller is designed to fold, there must be a latch to prevent it from accidentally folding while in use.
Springs are also tested to see how much space between the coils there can be while in use. If there is more than .120 inches between coils, then they must be covered to avoid pinching.

Stroller Brake Test

Performance Brakes are a required feature for all strollers. When they are engaged, they are not permitted to let the wheels rotate more that 90 degrees during testing.
The brakes cannot be located within reach of a child who is sitting in the stroller.
Engage the brakes and place the stroller on a 12 degree incline. The surface is covered with 120 grit sandpaper.
The wheel where the brake is applied should be positioned so that it is higher than the rest.
Gradually apply 40 lb. into the seat’s center and hold for 10 seconds.
Repeat when the wheel with the brake is lower than the other wheels.

Stroller Label Test

The surface of the stroller is also tested for safety. The paint and surface coating must comply with certain safety regulations.
Any wood parts of the stroller must be smooth, so there in no chance of splintering.
Warning labels on the stroller can be attached by printing, burning, hot stamp, or paper label. These are also tested to be sure they are permanent.
All labels must be permanent.
For paper labels, they are considered permanent if they can’t be removed with out tools, or if the label comes off in pieces or if it damages the surface of the stroller.
For a warning label that is sewn into the seams, apply force over 5 seconds and hold for 10 seconds.

Static Load Test

The stroller must be able to support a static load* of 100 lb. or 2.5 times the manufacturer’s recommended weight maximum. A carriage is to be able to hold a static load of 50 lb. total. The weight is to be placed in the middle of the stroller. A convertible carriage/stroller should support a static load equal to the manufacturer’s directions for each configuration.
For a high capacity stroller the weight is put in the seat that is most likely to fail.
A 6 inch by 6 inch piece of wood that is 3/4 inch thick is gradually applied over 5 seconds and held for 60 seconds.
Next, 50 lb. or 1.25 times the recommended weight is gradually applied to the footrest over 5 seconds and held for 60.
* Static Load – A downward force applied by a dead weight onto the object in question

Stroller Stability Test

The stroller must also be tested for stability. It will be placed on the testing platform and tested for stability when the stroller is empty and full. For a high capacity stroller, the weight is put in the seat that is most likely to cause a test failure.
First the stroller is placed on a platform at a 12 degree angle. The seat should be in the most upright position. Place stops under the wheels so they will not roll, but still might tip.
The model is tested to see how easily the model will tip over.
Recline the seat and test again.
To test front stability (simulating a child were climbing up into the stroller) place the model on a flat surface. No weight should be in the seat and the footrest should be at its lowest point. (This is if the footrest is adjustable)
Apply 40 lb. of force downward over 5 seconds and hold for 10 seconds.

Stroller Occupant Retention Test

The waist restraint and crotch strap are measured to make sure they can fit snugly on babies of all sizes.
Strollers must have a harness built into the model so that everything is pre-assembled.
Carriages are not required to have restraints if they are only built for infants. If the seat back sits up or if the carriage can be used beyond infancy, then it must have a harness.
While the restraints are being tested, no part of the buckle is permitted to slip or come off. The harness straps that are anchored to the stroller also must not tear or come off.
Carriages or stroller/carriage systems with fully reclining seats, are required to have a protected occupant retention**
There must be walls around all sides. No holes are allowed, but if there are, they must be fully covered.
Strollers with a full recline position must have a non-detachable feature to cover holes in the stroller.
The stroller seat must be fully upright with a weight or small dummy placed in the seat and fastened into the harness.
Apply 45 lb. of force on the dummy’s ankle over 5 seconds and hold for 10 seconds.
Repeat 5 times.
Some strollers have a belly bar or a tray.
These should not allow a hole large enough for a child’s torso to slip through.
** Occupant Retention – The closed space inside a carriage or stroller where the occupant lays.

Stroller Impact Test

The impact test is designed to test the strollers ability to absorb an impact.
A 5 lb. weight is attached to the center of the handlebar. The stroller model is then placed on a smooth platform that is angled at 20 degrees. A steel stop is placed at the end of the ramp and should be at least as tall as the stroller’s front wheels.
Release and let the model roll down the incline.
Repeat three times.
Then test the model with the seat in an upright position and a 40 lb. weight in the seat.
Repeat 5 times.

Stroller Harness Test

Restraints are a requirement for all strollers except infant carriages.
The restraint must go around the waist and crotch. It is to be designed so that the crotch part must be used whenever the harness is in use.
Secure the stroller so it will not move.
Over a 5 second period, apply a force of 40 lb. to one of the attachments and hold for 10 seconds.
Repeat five times and then do the same with the other attachments.

Summary

All strollers sold in the USA today must pass all of the above tests. Knowing this, we are confident that when we buy a stroller, it is safe and has met some of the most strict safety regulations in the world.