Guide · Identifying and measuring
Mower safety standards and part recalls: CPSC, ANSI, UL and marks
The lawn mower safety standard in the US (16 CFR Part 1205), ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017, what UL, ETL and CE marks mean, and how to check a mower part recall.
Short answer
In the US, CPSC says walk-behind power lawn mowers that are consumer products must comply with the mandatory federal standard at 16 CFR Part 1205.[1] CPSC's voluntary-standards page names ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017 for consumer pedestrian-controlled and ride-on mowers.[2] Both standards cover mowers, not replacement parts. For a part, follow your mower maker's listing and check CPSC for recalls by brand and part number.
Ready to buy?
We have not picked a product for this exact topic yet. Our best picks lists the products we have checked, each with its store link.
The US mandatory standard: 16 CFR Part 1205
CPSC states that walk-behind power lawn mowers that are consumer products must comply with the Safety Standard for Walk-Behind Power Lawn Mowers at 16 CFR Part 1205.[1] A walk-behind mower is excluded only if it has all three of these: a cutting width of at least 30 inches, a weight of at least 200 pounds and, if engine-powered, an engine of at least 8 horsepower.[1]
The standard applies to the complete mower. Our sources do not set a separate federal standard for a replacement blade, bag or wheel, which is why the maker's parts listing for your model matters.
The voluntary standard: ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017
CPSC's mower voluntary-standards page identifies ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017, the safety specification for consumer pedestrian-controlled and ride-on mowers.[2] It is the voluntary standard CPSC names for these mowers. Other standard numbers appear in listings and search results; we could not confirm their scope from the publishers' own pages, so this guide does not rely on them.
UL standards and marks
UL 62841-4-3. UL's standards publication status page lists UL 62841-4-3 for pedestrian-controlled walk-behind lawnmowers, with a North American publication date of June 23, 2023 and a USA effective date of June 23, 2026.[3] That page says it is current as of 06/14/23, and it lists UL 1447 for electric lawnmowers as active for new certifications until June 23, 2026.[3] We could not confirm which mower types UL 62841-4-3 covers.
Recognized components. UL states that component recognition is for components meant to be built into a larger certified product, and is not a certification for a complete, standalone product.[4] A recognized-component mark on a part does not certify that part on its own.
ETL Listed. Intertek states that its ETL Listed Mark shows a product has been tested by Intertek for compliance with North American safety standards and is accepted throughout the US and Canada.[5] A mark in a listing photo is not proof for a specific model; check the certification record.
CE. The European Commission states that CE marking does not mean a product has been approved as safe by the EU or another authority.[6] For EU readers, the Commission says the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 applies on a mandatory basis from January 20, 2027.[7]
Part recalls
Recalls name parts by brand and part number. In January 2018, SureFit recalled riding-mower blade spindle shafts and assemblies, models 504-00341 and 504-00346, sold as aftermarket replacements for John Deere riding mowers, because the shaft can break and eject pieces.[8] That recall covers those two parts only.
To check a part:
- Note the brand and part number from the part or its packaging.
- Search CPSC's recall list for the brand and the number.
- If a recall matches, stop using the part and follow the remedy in the notice.
Genuine parts
Toro's manual for the 22-inch Recycler 21465 says replacement parts and accessories made by other manufacturers could be dangerous and recommends genuine Toro parts.[9] That is Toro's statement about its own mower. No part on this site is described as "certified" or "safe"; we report what the maker lists and what the standards bodies state.
| Mark or standard | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 16 CFR Part 1205 | Mandatory for consumer walk-behind power mowers, with a three-part exclusion | CPSC[1] |
| ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017 | Voluntary safety specification for consumer walk-behind and ride-on mowers | CPSC[2] |
| UL recognized component | Not a certification of a standalone product | UL[4] |
| ETL Listed | Tested by Intertek to North American standards | Intertek[5] |
| CE | Not an approval as safe by the EU | European Commission[6] |
Next
Questions
What safety standard do lawn mowers have to meet in the US?
CPSC says consumer walk-behind power mowers must comply with the mandatory standard at 16 CFR Part 1205, unless a mower is at least 30 inches wide, weighs at least 200 pounds and, if engine-powered, has at least 8 horsepower. CPSC also names ANSI/OPEI B71.1-2017 as the voluntary standard for consumer walk-behind and ride-on mowers.[1][2]
Does a replacement mower blade have to meet a safety standard?
The standards in our sources cover complete mowers, not replacement parts. For a blade, follow your mower maker's parts listing for your model and serial number.[1]
What does a UL recognized component mark mean?
UL says component recognition is for components meant to be built into a larger certified product, and is not a certification for a complete, standalone product.[4]
How do I check whether a mower part has been recalled?
Search CPSC's recalls by brand and part number. In 2018, for example, SureFit recalled aftermarket spindle shafts and assemblies 504-00341 and 504-00346 for John Deere riding mowers because the shaft can break and eject pieces.[8]