EN 14372 Child Use and Care Products - Cutlery and Feeding Utensils - Safety Requirements and Tests

The European standard "EN 14372 Children's use and care products - Cutlery and feeding utensils - Safety requirements and tests" describes the safety requirements for the materials, structure, performance, packaging and labelling of cutlery and feeding utensils.

All products designed for a child up to 36 months of age to eat independently or with the assistance of another person are covered by this standard. This includes products that have a distinct primary function but a secondary function that allows the child to eat independently or with the assistance of another person.

Pre-prepared food containers or cutlery and feeding utensils designed for special medical applications or for use under medical supervision are outside the scope of this standard.

This standard includes test methods for specified mechanical and chemical requirements and requirements for instructions for use. Some products are designed as toys or with toy-like features. These products must also meet the relevant requirements of the standard "EN 71 Safety of Toys."

This standard does not apply to drinking equipment (feeding bottles, teats, cups and glasses) within the scope of standards EN 14350-1 and EN 14350-2.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Cutlery: Utensils used for eating, such as knives, forks, spoons, and food pushers.
• Feeding utensils: Utensils or containers used to feed children, such as plates and bowls.
• Suction cup: It is the component that allows the feeding device to adhere or fix to a surface.

All materials must comply with the requirements of this standard. Visually and tactilely, all components of cutlery and feeding utensils must be free of points and edges that could cause injury when assembled for use. The product must be free of splinters, burrs, and burrs. Accessible points must not be the sharp points defined herein. Accessible edges must not be the sharp edges defined herein. When placed in a small parts cylinder, no component part of the tested sample shall fit completely into the cylinder in any orientation and without compression.

To prevent trapping of fingers, the device must not have an accessible hole that allows insertion of a 5,5 mm diameter rod, except for an accessible hole that allows insertion of a 12 mm diameter rod or has a penetration of less than 10 mm. This requirement applies only to components constructed from materials with a Shore A hardness greater than 60 IRHD. Circular holes that do not meet this requirement risk restricting blood circulation. Furthermore, non-circular holes with narrow V-shaped angles or inward-facing holes that are not well rounded should be avoided.

For printed decorations, when tested in accordance with EN ISO 2409, no decorative print should be removed from any product. Adhesive labels should not be used.

Besides the general requirements, this standard includes requirements for mechanical requirements (tensile strength, torque test, tear resistance, strength and hardness, and drop test) and chemical requirements (requirements by material, migration of certain elements, phthalate content, volatile compound content, formaldehyde release, nickel release, and bisphenol A (BPA) release).

In short, EN 14372 specifies the safety requirements and test methods for cutlery and feeding utensils intended for use by infants and young children. This standard ensures that such products are safe, non-toxic, and fit for purpose, minimizing the risk of injury or chemical exposure during feeding.

Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to physical injury and exposure to hazardous substances. This standard was developed to regulate the quality and safety of nutritional products such as:

• Baby spoons and forks
• Baby bottles with attached blades
• Suction cup containers or plates with tool kits attached
• All products marketed for feeding infants and young children (generally under 36 months)

The purpose of this standard is to reduce the risks associated with:

• Sharp edges or pointed ends
• Choking hazards
• Transport of toxic chemicals
• Improper structural integrity

This standard applies to reusable and disposable cutlery and feeding utensils made of all materials (plastic, metal, wood, silicone, and similar). Products excluded from the scope of this standard include:

• Beverage equipment (covered by EN 14350 standard)
• Tableware not intended for direct nutrition
• Pacifiers

The EN 14372 standard includes specific test procedures for assessing compliance. These include:

• Drop tests to simulate real-life handling
• Boiling and dishwashing simulations
• Chemical extraction using food simulants

In order for products to be offered for sale in the European market, they must pass all tests to be considered compliant and receive the CE mark.

Compliance with the EN 14372 standard is vital for manufacturers in terms of:

• Compliance with European Union product safety regulations
• Avoiding recalls or penalties
• Gaining consumer trust

The EN 14372 standard is considered important for the following reasons:

• Protects babies from physical injury: Infant feeding utensils must be free of sharp edges, small removable parts, or prongs that could injure a child or cause choking. This standard ensures that:
  • Rounded edges on cutlery
  • Safe structure that prevents parts from breaking
  • No risk of finger or lip compression

This significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents during feeding.

• Limits exposure to harmful chemicals: Young children often chew or suck on feeding utensils. This standard places strict limits on the handling of toxic substances, such as:
  • Lead, cadmium and mercury
  • BPA and phthalates (harmful plasticizers)

These chemicals have been linked to developmental, hormonal, and neurological problems in children. This standard ensures that the materials are non-toxic and safe for repeated food contact.

• Ensures hygiene and cleanability: This standard requires products to have the following properties:
  • Easy to clean and sterilize
  • Resistant to food and bacteria

This reduces the risk of bacterial contamination and foodborne illness, to which babies are particularly susceptible.

• Encourages informed consumer choices: This standard also requires manufacturers to:
  • Adding clear instructions and warnings
  • Labeling products with appropriate age ranges and user manuals

This helps parents and caregivers make safe and informed decisions when choosing products for their children.

• Supports product quality and reliability: Products tested under this standard must meet the following high standards:
  • Durability (e.g. drop resistance)
  • Yapısal bütünlük
  • Resistance to heat and cleaning methods

This ensures that kitchenware lasts longer, performs reliably and does not break under normal use, which could otherwise pose a risk.

• Facilitates compliance with European Union regulations: Selling baby products in European Union countries requires compliance with safety regulations. This reduces legal and financial risks, such as recalls, fines, and liability.

Consequently, the EN 14372 standard plays a vital role in protecting babies during feeding, one of the most critical early stages of life. As legal regulations evolve, adhering to these standards ensures that baby products are not only functional and durable, but also free from harmful substances and design flaws. When purchasing baby feeding accessories in the European Union, attention is always paid to compliance markings and certifications.

Our organization, which has been operating for many years and meticulously follows global developments in science and technology, conducts testing, measurement, and analysis in a wide range of areas for businesses across all sectors with a team of experienced professionals and a broad infrastructure. In this context, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 14372 Childcare Products - Cutlery and Feeding Utensils - Safety Requirements and Testing standard.