On Mar 30, 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has published a direct final rule to update the Safety Standard for Portable Hook-On Chairs (16 CFR 1233). The regulation shall enter into force on July 19, 2026.
According to the Standard, each Portable Hook-On Chairs must comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F1235–25, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Portable Hook-On Chairs.
What is Portable Hook-on Chair？
A portable hook-on chair is a seat made expressly to seat and hold children who can sit up on their own. A portable hook-on chair is usually a legless seat, designed to position the occupant at a table and at an elevation allowing the tabletop to be used as the feeding surface for the occupant. The hook-on chair is supported solely by the table on which it is mounted. These chairs are intended for use by children from age 6 months to 36 months, and who weigh no more than 37 lbs. (16.8 kg).
Typical hook-on chairs consist of fabric over a lightweight frame, with a device to mount the seat to a support surface, such as a table or counter. Some hook-on chairs fold for easy storage or transport, and some include a removable tray that can be used in conjunction with a table.
Key Changes of the ASTM F1235-25
The main revision of this standard this time is to change the referenced product standard from ASTM F1235-18 to ASTM F1235-25. The involved changes are as follows:
- Update the spelling and part of speech of the names defined in Clause 3; add Clause 3.1.8 "protective component";
- Update the titles of Clause 5.9 and its corresponding test method 7.11 to "Permanency of Labels and Warnings";
- Update the requirements of Clause 5.10 for Protective Components, and add an explanation that all protective components that are accessible to a child in the product or accessible to a child from any position around the product shall be evaluated;
- Add Clause 6.8 "Battery Compartments (remote control devices are exempt from these requirements)" and its corresponding test method 7.14;
- Update the content and format of Clause 8 Marking and Labeling and Clause 9 Instructional Literature.
Portable Hook-on Chairs Safety Guidance
The requirements for portable hook-on chairs are as follows:
- General requirements
- Sharp points and edges – see also 16 C.F.R. §§ 1500.3(b)(4)(i)(D) and 1500.3(b)(15)(i)(A)
- Small parts – see small parts business guidance page
- Paint and surface coating– see lead in paint business guidance page
- Wood parts
- Latching or locking mechanisms
- Scissoring, shearing, and pinching
- Exposed coil springs
- Openings
- Labeling
- Protective components
- Performance requirements
- Chair dop test
- Static load test
- Seat and seat back disengagement test
- Chair bounce test
- Chair pull/push test
- Restraint system
- Openings and passive crotch restraint system
