To check a baby carrier's safety certification, look at the brand's safety page. It should name the standard for each carrier in each market. In the US, soft carriers must meet ASTM F2236, and sling carriers must meet ASTM F2907. In Europe, the standard for soft carriers is EN 13209-2.
The CPSC, or U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, does not approve carriers. In the US, a lab that the CPSC accepts tests the carrier. The maker or importer then issues a Children's Product Certificate (CPC), a written certificate saying the carrier meets US safety rules. The sections below explain each step. The Konny section shows what Konny's FAQ lists for its FLEX carriers and Dual Support Hip Seat in the US and Europe.
What safety certification means for a baby carrier
In the US, the company that makes or imports a carrier certifies it. The CPSC does not.
US law requires US makers and importers of children's products to issue a CPC. First, a third-party lab that the CPSC accepts tests the product. The CPC then states in writing that the product meets the children's product safety rules that apply to it. The CPSC tells companies not to suggest that it tested, approved or endorsed a product, for example with a claim like "CPSC-approved." Its FAQ for online sellers says, "CPSC does not provide pre-market approvals of products."
US rules split fabric carriers into two groups, and each group has its own standard:
- Soft infant and toddler carriers. The CPSC describes these as carriers that hold a child close to the caregiver, usually upright. They are normally made of sewn fabric and carry a child from a full-term infant up to a toddler. The federal rule for them, 16 CFR part 1226, requires ASTM F2236. Carriers made after February 22, 2025 must meet the 2024 edition, ASTM F2236-24.
- Sling carriers. The CPSC says one main feature of a sling is that it can hold the baby in a reclined position. The federal rule for slings, 16 CFR part 1228, requires ASTM F2907-22, plus one extra requirement of its own for warning labels that are sewn onto the fabric.
How baby carrier safety testing works in the US
US testing follows the six steps below. Two of them you can check yourself: the label on the product and the product registration form.
Steps 2 to 6 come from the CPSC.
- The standard. ASTM International publishes ASTM F2236. It sets performance requirements, test methods and marking requirements for soft infant and toddler carriers, to promote their safe use.
- The lab. Federal law requires a third-party lab that the CPSC accepts to test every children's product against the federal safety rules that apply to it. The CPSC has accepted more than 600 labs worldwide for children's product testing.
- The certificate. The CPC and its test reports must be in English. The CPC must name the third-party lab that did the testing.
- The label. The CPSC's guidance for soft carriers says durable infant and toddler products must have a permanent label in English with four items: the name of the maker or importer, contact details (a US address and phone number, toll-free if there is one), the model name or number, and the date it was made.
- The registration form. All durable infant and toddler products must have a product registration form. The form lets the maker or retailer contact you about a recall or other safety news.
- Retesting. If a product has a material change after it is first certified, the finished product, or the part that changed, must be tested again for the safety rules that change affects.
The edition of ASTM F2236 depends on when the carrier was made. The CPSC says companies must test to the CPSC-accepted edition for the carrier's date of manufacture:
| Manufactured | Must meet |
|---|---|
| After February 22, 2025 | ASTM F2236-24 |
| After September 29, 2014, through February 22, 2025 | ASTM F2236-14 |
The European standard for soft carriers
In Europe, look for EN 13209-2 on a soft carrier's safety page. It is the European standard for soft carriers.
EN 13209-2:2015 is Part 2 of the European baby carrier standard. It sets safety requirements and test methods for soft carriers. These are carriers without a frame that attach to the caregiver's torso to carry a child.
The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) says a carrier tested to one of these standards goes through rigorous testing to judge whether it is safe to sell. It names ASTM F2236 and ASTM F2907, and the European standards EN 13209 and TR 16512. TR 16512, in full CEN/TR 16512:2015, gives safety guidelines for children's slings.
What to look for on a carrier's safety page
Check two places, the brand's safety page and the carrier itself. Then check for recalls and watch for two phrases.
On the safety page, look for three things: the standard it names (ASTM F2236, ASTM F2907 or EN 13209-2), the market that standard covers, and the edition if the brand lists it.
On the carrier and its paperwork, the BCIA and the CPSC's carrier tip card suggest these checks:
- Proper labeling, including a tracking label with the maker's name, location and model name or number
- A product registration form. The BCIA notes it is not always required by law, but it is required in the US and good to have.
- A sign that the product was tested to the safety standards that apply
For recalls, the CPSC's tip card says to check cpsc.gov/recalls.
Watch for two phrases. The CPSC tells companies not to use "CPSC-approved" or anything like it. The BCIA says, "There is no such thing as “BCIA Certified” or “BCIA Compliant.”"
Konny's safety testing by region
Konny lists its safety testing by region in the Konny FAQ, under "Is Konny Baby Carrier tested for safety?" The answer covers its two FLEX models (FLEX AirMesh™ and FLEX SoftBreeze™) and its Dual Support Hip Seat. For the United States and the European Union, it lists the following, in Konny's words:
- FLEX AirMesh™ and FLEX SoftBreeze™. United States: "Passed safety testing to US (ASTM) standards." European Union: "Passed EU safety testing."
- Dual Support Hip Seat. United States: "Safety tested to US (ASTM) standards."
For fit and comfort, see what to look for in a baby carrier. To check the fit while you wear the carrier, see the T.I.C.K.S. checklist.
FAQ
Does the CPSC approve baby carriers?
No. The CPSC says, "CPSC does not provide pre-market approvals of products." It also tells companies not to suggest that it tested, approved or endorsed a product. A CPSC-accepted lab does the testing, and the maker or importer issues the Children's Product Certificate (CPC).
What is the US safety standard for soft baby carriers?
ASTM F2236. Carriers made after February 22, 2025 must meet the 2024 edition, ASTM F2236-24.
Do sling carriers follow the same standard?
No. Sling carriers have their own US standard, ASTM F2907-22.
What is the European safety standard for soft baby carriers?
EN 13209-2:2015, Part 2 of the European baby carrier standard, which covers soft carriers.
How do I check a carrier for recalls?
Check the CPSC's recalls page at cpsc.gov/recalls, and fill in the product registration form. Federal rules require these forms so the maker or retailer can contact you about a recall or other safety news.
Sources
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Soft Infant and Toddler Carriers Business Guidance, Children's Product Certificate, Third Party Testing, Initial Certification Testing FAQ, Online Sellers Safety Guide FAQs, carrier safety tip card and recalls
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR): 16 CFR part 1226 and 16 CFR part 1228
- ASTM International: ASTM F2236-24
- Estonian Centre for Standardisation and Accreditation (EVS), which sells the European standards: EN 13209-2:2015 and CEN/TR 16512:2015
- Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA): FAQ: Compliance for Consumers