New regs for Monday: School cafeterias, child carriers, seat belts

Monday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new rules for child carriers that parents wear like backpacks, school cafeteria workers, seat belt test procedures and whistleblower protections.

Here’s what is happening:

Child carriers: The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is moving forward with new safety requirements for frame child carriers.

{mosads}Frame child carriers are like backpacks used to carry young children who weigh between 16 pounds and 50 pounds and can sit up on their own.

The CPSC estimates there are more than 2 million frame child carriers in the U.S. market. They sell for between $100 and $300 a piece.

“Frame carriers are intended to be worn on the back and suspended from both shoulders of the caregiver’s body,” the CPSC wrote. “This type of carrier is often used for hiking.”

The new rules go into effect on Sept. 2, 2016.

Exports: The Department of Commerce is reviewing export control regulations.

The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security said Friday it is combing through the export control system to weed out unwarranted regulations for certain military aircraft and military gas turbine engines.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Seat belts: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is proposing new seat belt requirements for car manufacturers.

Car manufacturers would face new procedures for testing seat belt assembly anchorages under the new rules. The test procedures would address the placement of body blocks.

The public has 60 days to comment.

Whistleblowers: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is moving forward with new whistleblower protections for employees of companies that contract with NASA.

The whistleblower protections extend an interim rule published last year.

The rule goes into effect in 30 days.

School meals: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is moving forward with new standards for cafeteria workers who handle federal school lunch and breakfast programs.

The changes from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service will include new hiring standards as well as annual training requirements. 

The new rules go into effect on July 1.