EN 581-3 Part 3: Mechanical Safety Requirements for Tables

The European standard “EN 581-f3 Outdoor furniture - Seating and tables for camping, home and work use - Part 3: Mechanical safety requirements for tables” describes the minimum requirements in terms of safety, robustness and durability for all types of outdoor tables for adults, regardless of the material, design/construction or manufacturing process. The following are outside the scope of this standard:

• Street furniture.
• Apart from balance tests, the suitability of any storage features found on the tables is evaluated.
• Requirements regarding the durability of wheels and height adjustment mechanisms.
• Electrical safety requirements.
• Resistance requirements against aging and deterioration caused by light, temperature, and humidity.

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

• Contractual use outdoor furniture: This refers to outdoor furniture designed for non-private use in public spaces.
• Outdoor furniture for indoor use: This refers to outdoor furniture designed for private use in areas not open to the public.
• Outdoor camping furniture: Lightweight outdoor furniture designed for use in camping and travel, which can be folded or disassembled.
• Street furniture: This refers to outdoor furniture used in public spaces that is permanently fixed to the ground or to a structure (e.g., bus stop, wall) or cannot be removed manually.

Tests should be carried out as specified in the EN 1730 standard.

The safety, strength, and durability requirements have been defined as follows:

• The requirements of the EN 581-1 standard must be met before and after strength, durability, and stability tests are performed.
• Glass tabletops must meet the fracture test requirements described in EN 12150-1 or have a fracture mode of Type B or Type C according to EN 12600.
• The umbrella holes in the glass tabletop must be protected to prevent metal from coming into contact with the glass.

For test sequences and parameters, the order listed in the table provided within the standard must be followed. Tests performed according to this table will be considered to have met the safety, strength, and durability requirements under the following conditions:

• Provided there are no breaks in any element, connection, or component.
• If there is no loosening in the connections that are intended to be rigid.
• The table performs its functions if the test loads are removed.

The product should not tip over when subjected to stability tests.

In the world of outdoor living, there's no better patio or garden arrangement than a sturdy and stylish table. Outdoor tables withstand the rigors of daily use. The method for determining that these tables won't wobble, collapse, or break under pressure is defined in the EN 581-3 standard, which sets the benchmark for mechanical safety in such furniture. This standard helps manufacturers, retailers, and consumers ensure that tables designed for camping, home, or contract use can withstand the rigors of outdoor living.

The EN 581 series of standards forms the basis of outdoor furniture safety. These standards address the unique challenges of outdoor furniture, which, unlike indoor furniture, must withstand weather conditions, uneven surfaces, and heavy loads.

• The EN 581-1 standard incorporates broad safety principles, including warnings, stability, and protection against hazards such as sharp edges or pinch points. It applies to both seating and tables, excluding elements such as removable upholstery or fixed installations.
• The EN 581-2 standard details strength, durability, and fatigue tests to simulate years of sitting experience.
• The EN 581-3 standard focuses on tables and defines test methods to verify that they can withstand loads without tipping, breaking, or deforming.

These standards have been harmonized under the EU General Product Safety Directive. This compliance is not material-dependent, covers everything from wooden picnic tables to stylish metal cafe sets, and assumes that they can be used by adults up to 110 kg.

The EN 581-3 standard does not specify design or materials, but it ensures that the table, regardless of its construction—whether extendable dining tables, compact sets, or long banquet tables—performs reliably.

Key exceptions include electrical safety, resistance to environmental degradation (such as UV light or humidity), and street furniture. The latest update has brought clarity by addressing differences in extendable or smaller table types to make the tests more precise and applicable.

Essentially, the EN 581-3 standard aims to prevent accidents caused by mechanical failures by leveraging real-world data on outdoor furniture accidents. It includes rigorous mechanical assessments to verify that tables will not unexpectedly cut, jam, or collapse.

The EN 581-3 standard describes a series of mechanical tests carried out in controlled laboratories, simulating daily and extreme use. These are typically performed on fully assembled tables, after being conditioned to mimic outdoor exposure. The main tests are:

• Stability test: The table is placed on a plane inclined at 5 degrees and loaded from the edges/corners to check its resistance to tipping. The aim is to ensure the table does not tip over when loaded unevenly, such as at a windy picnic.
• Horizontal static load: To assess frame integrity, weights are applied horizontally to the top edges. The aim is to simulate pushing or leaning the table.
• Vertical static load: Intense or distributed loads are applied to the tabletop surface. The aim is to ensure that the top will not sag or crack under plates, drinks, or elbows.
• Drop test (impact): A sandbag is dropped from a height onto a table. The aim is to check its resistance to accidental impacts, such as dropping a heavy pot.
• Fatigue test: Cyclical loading/unloading is applied to simulate repeated use over time. The aim is to ensure long-term endurance without joint loosening or bending.
• Cutting and pinch points: Probes are inserted into cavities to test for pinching risks. The aim is to prevent finger injuries caused by mechanisms such as folding legs.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services to businesses in accordance with the “EN 581-3 Outdoor furniture – Seating and tables for camping, home and work use – Part 3: Mechanical safety requirements for tables” standard.