July 2010 (10B-146)
|
 Bulletin
Summary
The European Union issued Commission Decision 2010/376/EU early in July 2010 regarding safety requirements for children’s sleep environment products. The Decision calls for European Standards to be developed by EU Standardization Bodies for the five areas of concern (cot mattresses, cot bumpers, suspended baby beds, and children’s duvets and sleep bags). Until EN standards for the five products are produced, the items will fall under the authority of the European General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC.
|
Background
In 2006 the European Union commissioned a study to assess the safety of several childcare articles commonly used for babies and young children from 0 years until 5 years of age. A wide range of national authorities, national standards bodies, consumer associations and safety organizations were involved in the study. Five products that are regularly found in sleep environments were identified as requiring follow-up related to their safety. The five types of products involved are:
Products Identified for Safety Standards
1) Cot Mattresses. Defined as providing support for newborns and children sleeping in a cot. The item usually measures 60 x 120cm or 70 x 140cm and varies in thickness between 6 and 15cm. It can be foldable.
2) Cot Bumpers. Defined as an upholstered accessory for a cot attached to its inner part. It is generally used to improve the comfort of the child. It can cover at least one side of the cot.
3) Suspended Baby Beds. Defined as a cot or crib, often with a non-rigid or other flat surface, suspended by cords, straps or slings from one or more anchorage points. It is used to lay down a young baby who cannot kneel or sit up without aid.
4) Children’s Duvets. Defined as a fabric bag containing a soft filling for use in the cot to increase the child’s comfort when sleeping, and to prevent hypothermia.
5) Children’s Sleep Bags. Defined as a warmly lined or padded body-length bag in which the baby is placed. It is designed to prevent hypothermia and suffocation while a child is sleeping or lying in the cot.
Annex to the Decision
The Commission Decision Annex contains a list of safety requirements applicable to each of the five children’s products of concern. This list may be used as a checklist for anyone involved with safety issues related to these items. Note: For some of these products specific national standards already exist, such as BS 1877 Part 10 (Cot Mattresses and Bumpers) and BS 8510 (Children’s Sleep Bags). These standards should be used in conjunction with the Annex when assessing relevant product safety.
Text of Decision 2010/376/EU
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:170:0039:0048:EN:PDF
Contact Information:
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services has a global network and testing history in these product areas and can assist you with any concerns regarding this Commission Directive and related issues. If you have any comments and/or questions, please contact your customer service representative or email: bvsales@uk.bureauveritas.com
Click to download printer friendly
version of Bulletin
Interested in Receiving all Bulletin
Announcements? Subscribe Now
Bureau
Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the
information in this client bulletin as a resource of general
information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory
requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any
indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including
without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this
client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION
WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
Copyright © 2010 Bureau
Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Send an e-mail