Why are there two competing standards at play designed to mitigate the risk of furniture tip-over?

Question: Why are there two competing standards at play designed to mitigate the risk of furniture tip-over?

Answer:  The CPSC is required to promulgate a rule to implement a mandatory standard for dressers and other clothing storage units, or adopt an existing voluntary standard that meets the performance requirements of the STURDY Act.  STURDY (Stop Tip-Overs of Unstable, Risky Dressers on Youth), which was signed into federal law on 12/29/22, sets requirements for a revised ASTM Standard on furniture safety. That revised standard, ASTM F2057-23 Standard Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units, was published on 2/6/23. But while the ASTM furniture safety committee was struggling to develop a far more protective safety standard than the their former voluntary standard, the CPSC started rule making for their own standard. The CPSC approved a final rule, 16 CFR 1261, which will require a different test method from what the new ASTM standard requires.  The final rule also requires the display of a stability rating hangtag at the point-of-sale. While technical experts find that the CPSC’s test method is unnecessarily complex and subject to repeatability issues, the CPSC rule will go into effect on May 24, 2023, unless they decide to adopt (incorporate by reference) ASTM F2057-23 into their regulations. The Commission is currently evaluating STURDY as well as the new ASTM F2057-23 standard and intends to implement Congressional direction as prescribed by STURDY. In the meantime, furniture retailers and manufacturers are in a quandary as to which test method to apply. However, stable clothing storage units should be able to meet both standards.

— by Don Mays, Product Safety Insights; Chairman, ASTM F-15 Committee on Consumer Products