Comment from Timothy Howard

The new crib regulation that is proposed will help ensure compliance with voluntary standards that have improved the safety of a piece of furniture that most families with new children have in their home. Most consumer safety organizations already recommend that crib shoppers should look for cribs that are certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), since they meet all federal requirements as well as the voluntary requirements established by the ASTM International. By codifying these voluntary standards into law it will ensure that all new cribs sold in the US will meet these standards including lower end products that may attract lower income families. There is definitely a cost associated to the manufacturers as with any new regulation but it should be minimal for those who are already in compliance with the voluntary standards established by the ASTM International. For those who are not the additional cost will ensure a better product and force the company to either improve its products or go out of business. As a parent I look forward to these new regulations that seek to leverage the experience gained through the years in helping ensure the safety of my children with the products that we purchase in our day to day lives.