Infant mortality has been associated with overly-soft sleep surfaces which can obstruct an infant’s breathing; expert advice specifies a “firm” sleep surface. The standard AS/NZS 8811.1:2013 Sleep surfaces-Test for firmness was developed by a Standards Australia Technical Committee CS-003 Safety requirements for children’s furniture, of which CFA representative Antonio Bonacruz is a member.
The document presents a test, the first of its kind in the world, which outlines a method of testing all horizontal infant sleep surfaces for cot, pram, bassinet, carrycot, etc. and can be applied in laboratory, retail and home settings.
The committee was recently awarded the United States’ CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) – Chairman’s Commendation Circle Award for 2013 for developing the test for mattress firmness and reducing risk of infant fatality.
This committee has also received the Outstanding Committee Award in the Standards Australia Awards 2013 for its services to standardisation and the community at large.
If you are interested in finding out more about the CFA Standards Project and becoming a volunteer CFA Standards Representative please contact the Standards Coordinator standards@consumeraction.org.