Baby walkers allow children a greater range of movement and speed than they normally would have. This product safety standard aims to minimise the risk of injury associated with children using baby walkers, for example, from falling down stairs or from tipping over.
It is mandatory under the Product Safety Standards (Baby Walkers) Regulations 2001 and the 2005 amendment for all new and second-hand baby walkers supplied in New Zealand to comply with specific sections of the American Standard ASTM F977-03 Consumer Safety Specification for Infant Walkers. It is illegal to supply a baby walker that does not comply with this Standard and the Regulations.
The Regulations define the term ‘baby walker’ and set out what parts of the American standard apply to New Zealand. The Standard sets out the specifications a baby walker must meet and the tests which have to be carried out to determine a baby walker meets those specifications. The Regulations are issued under the Fair Trading Act 1986.