1.1 This consumer safety specification establishes performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements to promote safe use of soft infant carriers.

1.2 This consumer safety specification is intended to minimize the risk of incidents to an infant from the normal use and reasonably foreseeable misuse of these products.

1.3 For purposes of definition, a soft infant carrier is a product, normally of sewn fabric construction, which is designed to contain a full term infant, generally in an upright position, in close proximity to the caregiver. In general, the child will weigh between 7 and 25 lb (3.2 and 11.3 kg). The soft infant carrier is normally “worn” by the caregiver with the carrier, and thus the infant, suspended from one or both shoulders of the caregiver. These products are generally worn on the front of the caregiver's body with the infant either facing towards or away from the caregiver. This consumer safety specification does not include products generally referred to as “slings.”

1.4 No soft infant carrier produced after the approval date of this consumer safety specification shall, either by label or other means, indicate compliance with the specification unless it complies with all of the requirements contained herein.

1.5 This consumer safety specification is not intended to address incidents and injuries resulting from the interaction of other persons or objects with the caregiver and infant while the soft carrier is in use.

1.6 The test values stated in inch-pound units in this consumer safety specification are to be regarded as the standard. The metric values in parentheses are for reference only.

1.7 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the test method portion, Section 7 of this consumer safety specification. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.