STURDY ACT
Stop Tipovers of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth
ModuForm is committed to manufacturing safe, secure, and durable furniture for our customers, and our customers’ customers. STURDY is a new regulation that involves a variety of tests, leading to certification, that will ensure dressers, wardrobes, armoires, and other Clothing Storage Units (as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2056f (a)) are not easily tipped over, and therefore, safe.
Per the Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Enacted in 2022, the STURDY law (15 U.S.C. § 2056f) directs CPSC to promulgate rulemaking for clothing storage units. Pursuant to STURDY, CPSC published a final rule in the Federal Register (88 FR 28403) that incorporates by reference ASTM F2057. The requirements are codified at 16 CFR part 1261 and apply to clothing storage units manufactured after September 1, 2023. 16 CFR § 1261.2 identifies the latest Commission-accepted version of ASTM F2057 that is mandatory.
A “clothing storage unit” is defined as a “furniture item with drawers and/or hinged doors intended for the storage of clothing typical with bedroom furniture” and meets all of the following criteria:
- Free-standing
- Height of at least 27 inches
- Mass of at least 30 pounds
- Enclosed storage volume of at least 3.2 cubic feet
The STURDY law, as directed by Consumer Product Safety Commission, does not differentiate where the furniture is made, or who is using it, and thereby, must be followed by everyone.
Per ASTM F2057-23:
Abstract
This safety specification is intended to reduce injuries and deaths of children from hazards associated with tipover of clothing storage units, it covers chests, drawer chests, chests of drawers, dressers, and bureaus only. The procedures for stability testing of the drawer are presented in details. During the test, the unit shall not tip over or be supported only by an opened drawer, opened door, or opened or unopened flap.
Scope
1.1 This safety specification is intended to reduce injuries and deaths of children from hazards associated with tipover of free-standing clothing storage units, including but not limited to chests, chests of drawers, drawer chests, armoires, chifferobes, bureaus, door chests, and dressers, which are 27 in. (686 mm) or greater in height, 30 lb (13.6 kg) or greater in mass, and contain 3.2 ft3 (90.6 dm3) or greater of enclosed storage volume.
1.2 This safety specification does not cover shelving units, such as bookcases or entertainment furniture, office furniture, dining room furniture, jewelry armoires, underbed drawer storage units, occasional/accent furniture not intended for bedroom use, laundry storage/sorting units, or built-in units intended to be permanently attached to the building, nor does it cover “Clothing Storage Chests” as defined in Consumer Safety Specification F2598.
1.3 This safety specification is intended to cover children up to 72 months. See Note 1.
NOTE 1: The majority (approximately 80 %) of deaths relate to children 5 years or younger.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the test procedure portion, Section 9, of this 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ModuForm has worked extensively to ensure that our free-standing furniture, that is greater than 27″ in height, has a mass of at least 30 pounds, and an enclosed storage volume of at least 3.2 cubic feet, will meet these stringent specifications. You can find these products within Everest, FIT, and Zeal collections.