Changes to the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations

Fact Sheet
December, 2010

News Release: Harper Government Announces New Safety Requirements for Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets

Canada's requirements for cribs and cradles are already among the most stringent in the world. The amended Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations furtherstrengthen the safety requirements for cribs and cradles, and introduce new requirements for stand-alone bassinets, which were previously unregulated in Canada.

How have the Regulations changed?

The changes to the Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations will: 

• Broaden the definition of a crib by eliminating the distinction between standard and portable cribs, and include stand-alone bassinets within scope of the Regulations;
• Include bassinets and requirements relating to their required packaging and labelling, and construction and performance (flammability, side height, static load, shearing and pinching hazards, etc);
• Eliminate toeholds that could enable a young child to climb out of a crib and fall to the floor causing a risk of injury;
• Establish the same side-height and performance requirements for portable and standard cribs;
• Establish a minimum side height barrier of 230 mm that must be maintained at all times for all crib, cradle and bassinet products;
• Include additional warning requirements for cribs and cradles regarding blind cord proximity, moveable sides and substituting parts;
• Amend the reference to the flammability standard, by replacing it with the Canadian General Standards Board standard;
• Include a requirement specifying that manufacturers or importers must maintain records relating to the sale, advertisement and testing of crib, cradle and bassinet products for a period of at least 3 years;
• Reduce the total lead limit for cribs, cradles and bassinets to 90 mg/kg;
• Clarify the definitions of moveable crib sides; and
• Align aspects of the Canadian requirements with those of the U.S. concerning the safety of crib corner post extensions and cut-outs to allow a greater range of design without jeopardizing the safety of these products.

The full text of the regulatory amendment, as well as information on crib safety, can be found on the Health Canada website.