EN 16780 Textile Child Care Products - Safety Requirements and Test Methods for Children's Bed Protectors

A European standard "EN 16780 Textile childcare products - Safety requirements and test methods for child bed protectors" describes the requirements for the safety of child bed protectors when used in a child's sleeping environment, i.e. without supervision, while sleeping in a cot or similar product with a child present. Further research topics that may lead to the necessary improvement of the safety requirements for bed protectors are included in the annex of this standard (Annex C).

If a part of the child crib protector is designed to provide an additional function, for example a play function, in addition to the requirements of this standard, this part is subject to the relevant standards and the relevant safety requirements.

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

• Crib bumper refers to a product designed to be attached to the interior vertical surface of one or more crib sides.
• A cradle is a children's bed consisting of a base and surrounded by high sides to prevent the child from falling.
• Harm is harm or damage that may occur to children's health.
• A hazard is a potential source of harm.
• Risk refers to the combination of the probability of harm occurring and the severity of that harm.
• Inherently safe design is the set of measures taken to eliminate hazards or reduce risks. This is achieved by changing the design or operating characteristics of the product or system.
• Cordage is any cord, chain, ribbon, rope or tape (including elastic material) made of any textile or non-textile material.
• Asphyxia refers to an inadequate supply of air to the airways. Inadequate air supply can occur, for example, as a result of airflow being cut off as a result of suffocation or asphyxiation, or as a result of being trapped in an unventilated, enclosed space.
• Choking is the interruption of airflow resulting from internal asphyxia. Choking can occur, for example, as a result of inhaling an object, an object becoming lodged in the mouth or pharynx, or an object becoming lodged above the entrance to the lower airways.
• Breathlessness is the closure of airflow due to obstruction of the airways other than the mouth and nose.
• Monofilament thread is a single strand of synthetic fiber.
• A burr is a roughness created by not cutting or finishing the material cleanly.
• Surface flash is the rapid spread of a flame over the surface of a material without igniting the underlying structure.
• A three-dimensional ornament is a decorative item attached to a cord that is thicker or wider than the cord itself.
• A functional lanyard is any cord, chain, ribbon, rope or tape made of textile or non-textile material, including elastic, used to attach the cot protector to the crib frame. If a play function is provided, this definition can be extended to cords as described in standard EN 71-1.

The design requirements and test methods are described in this standard as follows:

• Crib protectors must be designed or manufactured in such a way that no part can be used as a footrest that could enable children to climb on or exit the product.
• Crib protectors should be designed or manufactured so that there are no horizontal gaps between parts that could cause children to get their heads stuck.
• The way the crib protector is attached should be designed to prevent the crib protector from collapsing or being pulled into the crib.
• Crib protectors should not have pockets.
• Crib protectors should not be manufactured with plastic transfer (e.g. plastic printing) or coated fabrics or foam.
• Fabrics and padding should be free of hard, sharp or foreign objects (i.e. pins, staples, nails, unattached press fasteners, wood splinters or any items not intended to be present such as insects or other infestations).
• Functional cords must not have knots or three-dimensional decorations and must be secured to prevent fraying, for example by heat sealing or bar stitching.
• The ends may be doubled or folded over as long as they do not create a pinching hazard.
• Functional cords intended to be connected together must be connected to the bumper at the same point.
• The length of non-functional cords with free ends must not exceed 75 mm.
• When slide fasteners are used and secured, they should be placed outside the bed.
• Slide fasteners must comply with the performance requirements of standard EN 16732.
• Slider fittings must include a top stop and a bottom stop or be secured in such a way that the slider cannot be removed from the chain. Claw-type stoppers are not permitted. The presence of the top stop and the bottom stop must be verified by visual inspection.
• Slider fittings must not have a removable slider. The absence of a removable slider must be confirmed by manual inspection.
• The upper stops and elements (teeth) must be free from burrs and sharp edges.
• When touch and closed fasteners are used and fixed, they should be placed outside the crib.
• Parts of tactile and closed fasteners should be die-cut with rounded corners to reduce the risk of scratching.
• Adhesive touch and closed fasteners (i.e. the adhesive part that is stuck to the crib) should not be used to attach the crib bumper to the crib.
• Single thread chain stitches are not allowed as described in the ISO 4915 standard.
• Seams must have a seam allowance (distance between the fabric edge and the seam line) of at least 5 mm.
• The seams must be sewn in such a way that one of the following conditions is met:
  • At least 3 stitches per 10 cm
  • If less than 3 stitches are used in 10 cm, the seam shall be tested as follows: jaw clamps fitted with 19 mm diameter discs are used. The clamps are fitted at an equal distance from the seam and at least 30 mm apart. A force of 5 N plus/minus 70 N is gradually applied between the two clamps over a period of approximately 2 seconds. The force is maintained for 10 seconds. The test is performed on this seam only once. It is determined whether the front of the 12 mm probe can be inserted through any opening in the seam using a maximum force of 10 N. Decorative and quilting stitches are excluded from this requirement.
• For exposed surfaces of the article, the maximum length of uncut float threads or uncut seams shall be 10 mm, and the maximum length of cut threads or cut seams shall be 20 mm.
• Monofilament threads should not be used.
• Buttons should not be attached with chain stitches.

Our organization, which has been trying to support businesses from every sector with its wide range of testing, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies for years, has a strong staff that closely follows the developments in the world in the field of science and technology and constantly improves itself. In this context, testing services in accordance with the standard "EN 16780 Textile child care products - Safety requirements and test methods for children's bed protectors" are also provided to businesses.