Inspecting at any factory in India since 2017.EUDR applies from 30 Dec 2026: what it means for Indian wood furniture →

USA · Furniture

STURDY Act (ASTM F2057-23) compliance for dressers and chests made in India

Under the STURDY Act, ASTM F2057-23 is the mandatory US standard (16 CFR 1261) for clothing storage units made from 1 September 2023: free-standing dressers, chests and wardrobes at least 27 in tall, 30 lb and 3.2 cu ft of enclosed storage. Units must pass stability tests, carry a warning label and ship with a tip restraint.

Last reviewed 14 Oct 2026Written by Renu Rajpurohit

Rule
16 CFR 1261, adopting ASTM F2057-23
Applies to
Clothing storage units made from 1 Sep 2023
Thresholds
Free-standing, ≥27 in tall, ≥30 lb, ≥3.2 cu ft enclosed
Must have
Stability test pass, warning label, tip restraint
Excluded
Smaller nightstands; office, dining, entertainment, built-in

Key takeaways

  • The rule is mandatory for US imports; the US importer carries the duty.
  • Every model needs a stability test report that matches what the factory actually ships.
  • Labels and tip restraints are checked on the goods; stability is tested at a lab.

What the law covers and excludes

The STURDY Act directed the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to adopt a mandatory tip-over standard. The result is 16 CFR 1261, which makes ASTM F2057-23 mandatory for clothing storage units made from 1 September 2023.

CoveredNot covered
Free-standing clothing storage units (dressers, chests of drawers, wardrobes) that are all of: at least 27 in tall, at least 30 lb, and at least 3.2 cu ft of enclosed storageUnits below any of the thresholds, including smaller nightstands
Units made on or after 1 September 2023, wherever they are madeOffice furniture, dining furniture, entertainment furniture and built-in units
Source: Federal Register 2023-08997 and CPSC Clothing Storage Units guidance, reviewed 12 Oct 2026. Check borderline products against the definitions in 16 CFR 1261.

The test methods in plain language

ASTM F2057-23 tests whether a unit tips over in the conditions a child or adult creates at home:

  • Drawers and doors open. The unit is tested with drawers open, both empty and loaded, to simulate real use.
  • Carpet tilt. The unit is tested on a tilt that simulates standing on carpet, which makes tipping more likely than on a hard floor.
  • Warning label. A permanent tip-over warning label must be on the unit.
  • Tip restraint. A tip restraint (anti-tip kit) must be supplied with the unit.

The test loads, angles and pass criteria are set out in the standard and the CPSC rule. Read them there; this page summarises, it does not restate the method.

What this means for goods made in India

Indian case goods have a few features that matter for tip-over stability:

  • Heavy solid wood. Sheesham, mango and acacia units are often heavier than panel furniture. Weight in the top drawers and a deep top raise the risk when drawers are open.
  • Hand-fitted drawers. Drawer extension and stop positions can vary from unit to unit. A unit whose drawers open further than the tested sample may not behave like it.
  • Variation between batches. A change of timber, drawer runner or top thickness changes the weight and centre of gravity. Treat these as changes to the tested model.
  • Labels and kits. The warning label and the tip-restraint kit are easy to forget at packing, especially on mixed containers.

A recall of India-made dressers. On 20 June 2024 CPSC announced recall 24-279: about 400 Cedona Natural View six-drawer dressers (model 33117082), manufactured in India, imported by Global Homes USA of Charlotte, North Carolina, and sold only at Rooms To Go from November 2023 to February 2024. CPSC said the dressers did not comply with the performance requirements of the STURDY Act and were unstable if not anchored to the wall; no incidents were reported (CPSC, 20 June 2024).

How an inspection helps

An inspection cannot certify compliance; that rests on a lab test and the importer's records. It checks that the goods leaving the factory match the unit that was tested:

  • Permanent warning label present, legible and in the right position on every sampled unit
  • Tip-restraint kit packed with each unit, with the parts and instructions listed
  • Drawer stops fitted and drawer extension measured against the tested sample
  • Overall dimensions and unit weight compared with the test report and the purchase order
  • Test report checked against the model number, description and photos of the goods
  • Samples pulled and sealed for an accredited lab when you need a new or confirmation test

Agree in your inspection plan how a missing label or kit is classed; many buyers treat it as a critical defect. See AQL sampling explained for how defect classes work.

Lab testing in India

Stability testing to ASTM F2057-23 must be done by a lab that can run the full method. Ask for a test report that names the standard edition, the model tested, its dimensions and weight, and photos of the tested unit. If you need a lab test arranged, we pull and seal samples for an accredited lab of your choice; see lab testing coordination.

We have no commercial ties to any laboratory. ASTM F2057 samples go to an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab that you choose, or one we suggest whose scope covers the standard.

Sources

Reviewed 14 Oct 2026. Re-check the CPSC rule before relying on any detail. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

From our inspections

Real photos from our published sample reports, anonymised. Click a source to read the full report.

Critical defect: five-drawer cabinet that tips forward with all drawers open
Critical defect: five-drawer cabinet that tips forward with all drawers open
Sample 05: Inspection, Jodhpur, January 2023
Tip-over test set-up (ASTM F2057-23)Side view of a chest of drawers. 1. Drawers open: All drawers and doors open, empty and loaded, as in use. 2. Test load: Applied to an open drawer. Weights and positions are set by the standard. 3. Result: Does the unit stay upright? The pass criteria are in the standard. 4. Floor tilt: Simulates carpet, which makes tipping more likely. Angle set by the standard; drawing not to scale. A lab test for US clothing storage units under 16 CFR 1261, which also requires a tip restraint and a permanent warning label. Clear To Load checks labels, restraints and drawer stops on site; stability is tested at a lab.12341Drawers openAll drawers and doors open, emptyand loaded, as in use.2Test loadApplied to an open drawer. Weightsand positions are set by thestandard.3ResultDoes the unit stay upright? The passcriteria are in the standard.4Floor tiltSimulates carpet, which makestipping more likely. Angle set bythe standard; drawing not to scale.A lab test for US clothing storage units under 16 CFR 1261, which also requires a tip restraintand a permanent warning label. Clear To Load checks labels, restraints and drawer stops on site;stability is tested at a lab.Tip-over test set-up (ASTM F2057-23)Side view of a chest of drawers. 1. Drawers open: All drawers and doors open, empty and loaded, as in use. 2. Test load: Applied to an open drawer. Weights and positions are set by the standard. 3. Result: Does the unit stay upright? The pass criteria are in the standard. 4. Floor tilt: Simulates carpet, which makes tipping more likely. Angle set by the standard; drawing not to scale. A lab test for US clothing storage units under 16 CFR 1261, which also requires a tip restraint and a permanent warning label. Clear To Load checks labels, restraints and drawer stops on site; stability is tested at a lab.12341Drawers openAll drawers and doors open, empty andloaded, as in use.2Test loadApplied to an open drawer. Weights andpositions are set by the standard.3ResultDoes the unit stay upright? The passcriteria are in the standard.4Floor tiltSimulates carpet, which makes tippingmore likely. Angle set by the standard;drawing not to scale.A lab test for US clothing storage units under16 CFR 1261, which also requires a tiprestraint and a permanent warning label. ClearTo Load checks labels, restraints and drawerstops on site; stability is tested at a lab.

STURDY Act questions from importers

Does the STURDY Act apply to nightstands?

Only if the unit meets all the thresholds: free-standing, at least 27 inches tall, at least 30 pounds and at least 3.2 cubic feet of enclosed storage. Smaller nightstands below those thresholds are out of scope. Measure the actual unit, not the catalogue drawing.

Can a test on one unit cover a whole range?

A test report covers the model tested. Changes to height, depth, drawer extension, weight or materials can change stability, so ask the lab whether a variant needs its own test. Keep the report matched to each model number you import.

What if the drawers are hand-fitted and vary between units?

Drawer extension and weight affect the stability test, so variation matters. Ask the factory to control drawer stops and runner positions, and have the inspector measure drawer extension and check stops on the sample against the tested unit.

Who is liable, the importer or the factory?

Under US consumer product safety law the importer is treated as the manufacturer, so the US importer carries the compliance duty. Your contract with the Indian factory can allocate cost, but it does not move the legal responsibility.

Does Clear To Load test stability?

No. Stability testing to ASTM F2057-23 is done by an accredited lab. We check labels, tip restraints, drawer stops and that the goods match the tested model, and we can pull samples for the lab.

Know before it ships

Tell us the product, the factory's city and your ready date. We confirm the inspector, the notice time and the price before you book.

Book an inspection Check your city
Book an inspection