DeLong sued AHFA and ASTM for their alleged failure to alter or recommend changes to a voluntary furniture safety standard the lawsuit claims was inadequate in protecting children against tip-over incidents. The initial suit claims the Hemnes passed the ASTM F2057 "good test" and that the voluntary standard, supported and "encouraged" by AHFA, was not only inadequate, "but knowingly misled the entire furniture industry, United States government and American consumers" into a false sense of security. The original lawsuit sought more than $50 million in damages.
AHFA motioned to dismiss the suit, saying the dresser had not been anchored to the wall per the manufacturer's instructions, and that there was no allegation that Ikea was a member of either AHFA or ASTM. See the full motion here.
"AHFA appreciates the judge’s thoughtful and well-reasoned opinion in this case, which concluded with his determination that neither AHFA nor ASTM International had a role in Conner DeLong’s tragic death," said AHFA CEO Andy Counts.
The judge noted that even though AHFA encourages members to comply with its stability standard, it has no actual authority to force compliance.
To comply with the standard, all clothing storage furniture 27 inches and taller must pass two stability tests, carry a permanent warning label and be shipped with tip restraints and instructions for installing them. All manufacturers of clothing storage furniture should obtain a copy of ASTM F2057-19, at astm.org/Standards/F2057.htm.
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