CPSC and ASTM International Announce Stronger Safety Standard for Above-Ground Pool Ladders

New Child-Resistance Requirements Advance CPSC's Drowning Prevention Priorities

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) today announced, alongside ASTM International, a strengthened voluntary safety standard for above-ground portable pools that establishes specific performance requirements and test methods for child-resistant ladders. The revised standard addresses a significant safety gap that can allow young children to gain unsupervised access to backyard pools.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one through four in the United States.  According to CPSC’s latest annual report, an average of 376 children under age 15 died annually in pool- or spa-related drownings from 2021 through 2023.  Nearly 80 percent were younger than five.

Preventing childhood drowning has become one of CPSC’s highest priorities.  Over the past year, the Commission has intensified its efforts to address dangerous pool designs, unsafe access points, entrapment hazards, and other risks that contribute to preventable drowning deaths.

In July 2025, CPSC secured the recall of approximately five million above-ground swimming pools following multiple reported child drowning deaths associated with a design flaw that allowed children to climb into pools even after the ladder was removed.  The Commission has also strengthened federal safety requirements for infant neck floats and pursued additional measures to address pool and spa hazards.

In June 2026, the Commission granted a petition concerning child-resistant pool ladders, citing 128 reported fatal drowning incidents involving children under five between 2020 and 2025 in which ladders were reported or believed to have been used to enter above-ground or portable pools.  The Commission worked with standards organizations, industry and safety advocates to develop objective performance requirements and stronger warnings.