Ideas in infancy

Nation's Business, August, 1997

I'm interested in manufacturing products for children and need industry safety standards for crib bumpers, crib sheets, and crib quilts or blankets. Where can I go for information? M.C., Evanston, Ill.

One source is the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which operates a voluntary certification program for baby furniture, carriages, and related baby products manufactured by its 250 member companies.

Another source is the Childrenswear Manufacturers Association, whose 150 member companies make clothing products. These associations are managed jointly in Morristown, N.J., and can be reached at (609) 231-8500. Membership dues vary by company size.

Sales of juvenile products in the United States totaled more than $4 billion in 1995, the latest year for which figures are available, according to the JPMA.