European Committee for standardization issues new child seat standards
In July 2021, CEN issued a new child seat STANDARD EN 17191: 2021. The standard covers seats specially designed for children who can walk and sit by themselves, including domestic and non domestic use.
Seats in educational institutions are not covered by this European standard because they are already covered by en 1729 parts 1 and 2.
The requirements of this standard are intended to improve the safety of seats for children, taking into account the hazards listed in commission decision 2013 / 121 / EU and commission implementation decision M / 527 of 22 July 2014.
——According to the toy safety standard EN71-3: 2019 + A1: 2021, the requirements for heavy metal migration are defined.
——In order to reduce fire hazard, according to toy safety standard en71-2: 2020, accessible textile materials shall not produce surface flash.
According to the standard, seats are divided into three sizes, which determines the application of some specific requirements (size 1) and the level of strength, durability and strength test.
Child seat standard
The following information indicates age, but there is no obligation to label or limit the use of seats to any of these age restrictions:
——Size 1 includes seats for the youngest children until the age of 3 (approximately);
——Size 2 covers the age range of 4 to 7 years;
——Size 3 includes seats for users under the age of 14.
The size is determined by the height of the seat, measured from the ground or any foot pedal. All dimensions specify general safety requirements, such as:
——Requirements for edges, corners and points
——Requirements for gaps, openings and V-shaped openings to avoid entrainment hazards
——The locking mechanism is required to prevent the danger caused by the sudden collapse of the product, and the recliner has specific requirements and tests.
——Considering the requirements of toy safety standard en71-1, the shell is specified.
——When magnets are used, the conditions specified in en71-1 shall be met, and the use of glass is prohibited.
——For the requirements of packaging, the minimum thickness of plastic packaging and the form of warning sentences are given.
The standard gives additional safety requirements for size 1 seats:
——Limit the length or perimeter of these elements to prevent strangulation hazards caused by ropes and loops.
——The risk of suffocation caused by plastic plates is limited by specific requirements for the attachments of any plastic stickers or labels.
——The risk of suffocation and ingestion occurs when small parts can be separated and swallowed by children, or filling materials can be exposed. It is required to ensure that any potential small parts can withstand torque and tension tests. In order to solve the accessibility problem of filling materials, it is required to ensure that the joints and closures of the mattress cover can resist normal use and prevent the entry of filling materials. The textile materials, sliding fasteners and joints of the bedspread shall be tested for strength and sliding.
The standard requires a series of different static and cyclic tests on different parts of the seat, such as seat and backrest, armrest and legs, to test the strength, durability and stability of the seat. Considering the age and weight of the children targeted by the seat and referring to the size, it is expected that there will be two levels of testing. However, the force applied also takes into account adults or older children who may occasionally use the product.
The required product information has been developed to highlight basic warnings and safety information and ensure that consumers are clear and readable.
The EU seat STANDARD EN 17191:2021 can be used as a voluntary standard to indicate compliance with the general product safety directive.
According to the regulations, the European national standards organization bound by CEN / CENELEC shall give the European standard the status of a national standard, and the conflicting national standards must be revoked before January 2022 at the latest.