Lives will be saved as a result of this standard, as it requires new mattresses to limit the spread and intensity of a mattress fire, which will give people more time to escape from their residence.
Hal Stratton, CPSC Chairman

The new federal standard for mattresses goes into effect on July 1, 2007.

What is being described by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as one of the most important safety standards ever developed by the agency, was approved today. By a vote of 3 to 0, CPSC approved a new federal standard to reduce the severity of mattress fires.

The new mandatory flammability standard for mattresses is the first major regulation passed by the CPSC in the agency's history. A major rule is one that has more than a $100 million annual impact on the economy.

When fully effective, CPSC estimates the new mandatory standard for mattresses is likely to save as many as 270 lives, preventing 78 percent of the deaths, and 1,330, or 84 percent of the injuries currently occurring every year.

"Consumers who purchase a new mattress that meets this standard will add an important layer of fire safety protection to their home," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Lives will be saved as a result of this standard, as it requires new mattresses to limit the spread and intensity of a mattress fire, which will give people more time to escape from their residence."

The mandatory standard addresses mattress fires ignited by open flame sources, including matches, candles, lighters, and other related scenarios. The test protocol was developed in coordination with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). "NIST's contribution to CPSC's development of this standard was invaluable," said Stratton.

Under the new mandatory federal rule, mattress sets must meet a performance standard. The CPSC does not specify how manufacturers are to design their mattresses to meet the standard. The new federal standard for mattresses goes into effect on July 1, 2007.

In the performance standard, the peak heat release rate is limited to 200 kW during a 30 minute test. The total heat release is limited to 15 MJ within the first 10 minutes of the test.

Cigarette ignition is covered by a separate mandatory standard. That standard, 16 CFR Part 1632, has been in place for more than 30 years during which deaths and injuries from mattress fires caused by smoking materials have fallen dramatically.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products -- such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -- contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

The following statement was by issued by CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton and Vice Chairman Nancy Nord, on the final rule for the flammability of mattress sets:

Today's approval of the Standard for the Open Flame Flammability of Mattresses and Mattress/Foundation Sets is a landmark for the Commission: it holds tremendous promise for saving lives and preventing injuries and property destruction and exemplifies the government-private sector partnership Congress envisioned for this agency.

The rule which we have put in place is the culmination of careful thought and hard work by Commission Staff and by private and public-sector stakeholders. But most of all, it was fused by the commitment to improve the safety of the American consumer.

On the one hand, the Rule has the virtue of flexibility: manufacturers are required to meet performance standards and thus have considerable flexibility in choosing among a range of component materials. Consumers thereby also benefit by continuing to enjoy a broad range of choices for comfort, price and aesthetic preference. On the other hand, the Rule is stringent and significantly raises the basic level of safety that all mattresses must meet. We anticipate that an approximate average of 270 lives and 1,330 injuries will be prevented annually. That is a significant achievement.

As members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are dedicated to continuing work in this "can-do" spirit to wisely and successfully address safety challenges presented by product performance, market place developments and consumer expectation.