The first and foremost thing to consider when shopping for a crib is the safety of your little one. You want to be sure the crib meets the standard safety requirements set out for cribs.
When it comes to certifications, it could be confusing to some people. We have the GREENGUARD Gold certification, JPMA certification, and a host of others.
In this short article, we want to look at Pottery Barn cribs and see if they are JPMA certified. Before we do that, it is essential that we know a thing or two about JPMA.
In the end, we will see if it is important for a crib or other baby furniture to be JPMA certified.
Recommended: Does Pottery Barn Assemble cribs? (Read this first!)
Table of Contents
What Does JPMA Certification Mean?
JPMA is an acronym for Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. JPMA certification has been on for over 40 years and its purpose is to give parents the assurance of buying safe and quality baby products.
For any product to be JPMA certified, it has to go through a series of tests in an independent laboratory to verify its quality, safety, and functionality.
A lot of parents in the North American region rely on this certification when buying baby products. Several top companies are members of this program, thus, giving parents rest of mind when shopping.
Nevertheless, becoming a member of the JPMA certification program is voluntary. The goal is to adhere to the American Society for Testing and Materials and other laws set out by CPSC.
Therefore, becoming a member of JPMA is an optional thing and doesn’t mean a non-member is producing substandard products.
Are Pottery Barn Cribs JPMA Certified?
Although Pottery Barn Cribs are not JPMA certified, the cribs undergo rigorous testing to verify their safety and functionality.
Some of the safety measures employed on Pottery Barn cribs include anti-tip testing, lead testing, and design testing. These tests are done in third-party CPSC-nominated testing labs to ensure safety compliance.
As long as a crib is free from harmful chemicals such as lead, the edges of the crib are smooth, and there are no missing parts, you should be fine with the crib.
Just make sure you inspect it to be sure it won’t tip over when little force is applied to it.
Related: Are Pottery Barn cribs made in the US? (short read)
Do Cribs Need To Be JPMA Certified?
JPMA certification is a good indication that a product is of high quality and safe to use. However, all cribs don’t need to be JPMA certified before they are considered safe.
There are crib brands that do not belong to JPMA. JPMA is an association and it is not mandated by any federal or state law for all companies to belong to the body.
There are different certification programs for baby products such as GREENGUARD, JPMA, etc. Any product having any of these labels shows that it meets the safety requirements of the said certification body.
While it could give parents peace of mind finding these safety-approved labels on baby products, it doesn’t mean those without labels pose safety risks. As long as a product sells in the United States, it must have been screened and approved.
**Find out if Pottery Barn crib mattresses are good or not.
How To Tell If A Crib Is Safe For Babies
A JPMA-certified crib is not enough to give you 100% assurance of the safety of the crib. There are other things to take note of when buying a buying for your dear child. Below is how to tell if a crib meets the safety standards.
The crib has the right size
The sidebars and slats of the crib shouldn’t be more than 2 inches wide. Also, a standard crib should measure about 27 inches in width and 52 inches in length. A +/- one niche from the standard measurement is fine.
Finishing should be baby-friendly
The finishing on the crib should be void of toxic substances that could affect a child’s respiratory system.
The mattress should fit snugly
You should make sure you get a mattress that fits snugly. The gaps between the mattress and the crib shouldn’t exceed an inch. This is to prevent your child from getting stuck.
Don’t use toys and soft materials inside the crib
Things like pillows, blankets, and bumpers are not needed in the early years of your child’s development. These items are suffocation hazards.
Make sure the crib has all its parts complete
If you find out there is a missing part after buying a baby crib, ensure you contact the manufacturer to get them to send it to you. Also, check that the crib is sturdy and won’t easily tip over.
Conclusion
Buying a baby crib that is JPMA certified can give you some peace of mind. It passes a message that the product has been verified to be safe and of good quality.
However, JPMA is not the final benchmark for cribs and other furniture. Not all brands are members of JPMA, and it is not compulsory for a company to join JPMA.
You can buy a really nice product that has no JPMA certification label on it. Just make sure you inspect any baby product before using it for your little one.
