Baby walking frames are devices that help pre-ambulatory children to move around on their own. Accidents using baby walking frames are mainly due to falling down stairs or tipping over, especially when children try to go over uneven surfaces such as door thresholds or carpet edges. Injuries resulting from such accidents can be very serious, because in the majority of cases they affect the child’s head.

There have been many recall cases in past years within the EU.

The European standard for baby walking frames EN 1273:2005 was approved by CEN on 3 March 2005. In November 2008 the EU Commission proposed to harmonise the standard under the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) in order to give it a legal status.

The proposal was adopted by the Member States and the European Parliament has also welcomed the decision.

The final decision (Commission Decision 2009/18/EC) was published on 13th of January 2009 in the Official Journal of the European Union. The decision states that baby walking frames tested according to the standard EN 1273:2005 are presumed to be safe.

On 17 February 2009, EN 1273:2005 was formally added to the harmonized standards under of the General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95/EC.

EN 1273:2005 specifies safety requirements and test methods for baby walking frames into which a child is placed. The intended use is from when the child is able to sit up by itself until the child is able to walk by itself. It doesn’t apply to baby walking frames for therapeutic and curative purposes and to those baby walking frames relying on inflatable parts to support the child. Main tests include:

• Toxicity test of Material;
• Flammability test of Material;
• Construction Evaluation (Opening, Small Parts, Sharp Points, Sharp Edges, Projections, Cords/Ribbons, Moving Parts, etc);
• Locking, folding and frame adjustment mechanisms;
• Seat (Crotch Strap Width, Fixing Mechanism(s) of Removable Seat, Seat Height);
• Static & Dynamic Stability tests;
• Static & Dynamic Strength tests;
• Folding and frame adjustment mechanisms;
• Prevention of fall down steps test;
• Parking Devices test;
• Soaking Test for Decals and Marking.

The purpose of EN 1273:2005 is to reduce the risk of accidents by reducing a child’s ability to reach for dangerous items and fall in unstable places, such as stairs or curbs. It also requires manufacturers to affix a warning to the product “Never to leave the child alone” and instructions to baby walking frame drawing the attention of adults to the fact that the environment around the child in a baby walking frame should be made as safe as possible.

The standard furthermore provides that instructions should draw adult attention to the fact that the product is not intended for children above a certain weight or for those who are still too young to sit upright unaided. This must also be available as purchase information and generally on the box or packaging.

Toys added to baby walking frames are regarded as toys and should comply with the EU toy safety directive 88/378/EEC and the harmonised toy standards EN 71- series.

SGS is happy to help you with testing and advice regarding baby walking frames.

Email us at mktg.hk@sgs.com for enquiries or Visit www.hk.sgs.com