United States of America has extended the information collection requirements for portable bed rails under the Paperwork Reduction Act, seeking OMB approval for continued data gathering through August 31, 2026, as part of the Safety Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails.
US Extends Safety Information Collection for Bed Rails
Manufacturers must continue providing safety data as regulators seek approval through 2026.
What changed
Information collection extended for portable bed rail safety standards through August 31, 2026.
Public comment period open until June 23, 2026 for stakeholder feedback on the extension.
Product scope clarified for adult portable bed rails under HS code 940390 and ICS codes 13.300 and 97.180.
Who it affects
Manufacturers of portable bed rails must continue providing safety information under the extended collection requirements.
Industry stakeholders can submit comments on the extension proposal until June 23, 2026.
What to do
Prepare to continue providing safety information for portable bed rails.
Submit public comments on the extension by June 23, 2026 if affected.
Monitor for final approval from the Office of Management and Budget.
Key dates
Compliance Analysis: Extension of Information Collection Requirements for Adult Portable Bed Rails under the Paperwork Reduction Act
Direct Answer
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has extended the information collection requirements for adult portable bed rails (APBRs) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) until August 31, 2026, seeking continued Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for data gathering associated with the Safety Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails (16 CFR part 1270). The extension covers labeling, warnings, and instructional literature requirements for manufacturers and importers1, 2.
Regulation Analysis
1. Legal Authority and Scope
- Regulation: Safety Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails (16 CFR part 1270).
- Addresses unreasonable risks of injury/death from entrapment and other hazards associated with APBRs1, 2.
- Incorporates by reference ASTM F3186–17 (Standard Specification for Adult Portable Bed Rails and Related Products), with modifications2.
- Sections 9, 10, and 11 of ASTM F3186–17 mandate:
- Labels (e.g., hazard warnings, compliance markings).
- Warnings (e.g., entrapment risks, proper installation).
- Instructional literature (e.g., assembly, usage, and maintenance guidelines)2.
2. Information Collection Requirements
The CPSC’s request for OMB approval (OMB Control No. 3041–0192) includes the following obligations for manufacturers and importers of APBRs:
| Requirement | Details | Estimated Burden | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labeling | Compliance markings, hazard warnings, and model-specific information per ASTM F3186–17. | 8 hours per model; 576 total hours/year (12 entities × 6 models × 8 hours). | 2 |
| Instructional Literature | Assembly, usage, and maintenance instructions for each APBR model. | 24 hours per model; 1,728 total hours/year (12 entities × 6 models × 24 hours). | 2 |
| Frequency of Response | "On occasion" (e.g., per model release or regulatory update). | Not specified. | 1 |
| Affected Entities | 12 known manufacturers/importers supplying APBRs to the U.S. market. | N/A. | 2 |
3. Public Comment Process
- Deadline for Comments:
- Submission Methods:
- Electronic:2(https://www.regulations.gov) (Docket No. CPSC–2013–0022).
- Email: `OIRA_submission@omb.eop.gov`.
- Fax: 202–395–3888.
- Mail: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Attn: OMB Desk Officer for CPSC, 725 17th St. NW, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.
- Confidential Submissions: Email `cpsc-os@cpsc.gov` or mail/hand-deliver to CPSC2.
- Comment Focus Areas (per PRA):
4. Key Dates and Compliance Timeline
| Milestone | Date | Authority | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| OMB approval expiration (prior cycle) | August 31, 2026 | OMB | 1, 2 |
| Federal Register notice publication | April 24, 2026 | CPSC | 1, 2 |
| Initial comment deadline | June 23, 2026 | CPSC | 2 |
| Extended comment deadline | August 6, 2026 | CPSC | 1 |
| OMB decision on extension | After August 6, 2026 | OMB | 1 |
5. Enforcement and Penalties
- Non-Compliance: Failure to adhere to labeling/instructional requirements may result in:
- Civil penalties under the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSA) (15 U.S.C. § 2069).
- Product recalls or stop-sale orders under 16 CFR part 1115.
- Corrective action plans (e.g., mandatory relabeling or consumer notifications)1.
Summary Answer
The CPSC has extended OMB approval for information collection requirements under the Safety Standard for Adult Portable Bed Rails (16 CFR part 1270) until August 31, 2026, covering labeling, warnings, and instructional literature for APBRs1, 2. Twelve manufacturers/importers are subject to an estimated 2,304 annual burden hours (576 for labels + 1,728 for instructions)2. Public comments on the extension were accepted until August 6, 2026, with stakeholders encouraged to address burden reduction and data utility1. The standard incorporates ASTM F3186–17 (Sections 9–11) and aims to mitigate entrapment hazards2. Compliance is mandatory for entities supplying APBRs to the U.S. market.
Sources
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-03535 — United States of America https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_03535_00_e.pdf
- ↩ WTO TBT notification 26-02212 — United States of America https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_02212_00_e.pdf