Upcoming Consultation on Drop-Side Cribs

2010-123
July 14, 2010
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada understands that Canadians are concerned about product safety, particularly products intended for use by children, such as cribs.

Health Canada is actively participating in discussions with Canadian and US manufacturers, safety advocates and US officials regarding the overall safety of cribs, including drop-side cribs. In September 2010, Health Canada will launch a public consultation soliciting the views of Canadians on a proposed prohibition of the future sale, advertisement and importation of drop-side cribs in Canada. Details on the consultation will be posted on the Health Canada website. Public input is important to inform and guide future actions.

Currently, all cribs, including drop-side models, sold, advertised or imported into Canada must comply with the requirements of the Cribs and Cradles Regulations of the Hazardous Products Act, which are already among the strictest in the world. The Department also recently proposed new requirements for bassinets, and changes to the Cribs and Cradles  Regulations to strengthen the requirements for all cribs.

Health Canada regularly tests children's products on the Canadian market and will continue to monitor the marketplace to keep children safe.

Furthermore, on June 9, 2010, the proposed Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) was introduced as Bill C-36. If passed into law, the CCPSA would allow Health Canada to take quick corrective action when companies fail to do so voluntarily. This could include a mandatory recall when an unreasonably dangerous product is discovered. The new Act also includes a mandatory reporting provision which would require companies to report serious incidents and defects that could lead to injury, or death, including near-misses.

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