European Standard BS EN 17191:2021 Children Furniture Implemented

In November 2020, it was announced that CEN had prepared a draft version of EN 17191:2019 to replace NFD60-300 parts 1 and 2 in France. Part 1 will still be valid as it provides safety requirements for all kind of furniture for children.

On 31 July 2021, the European Union had officially implemented BS EN 17191:2021 Children’s Furniture. Seating for Children. Safety requirements and test methods and will become a harmonized standard in the EU, offering a presumption of conformity to the General Product Safety Directive.

On 4 Aug, 2021, UK FIRA had withdrawn Children's Domestic Seating: Industry Standard (FRQG) – Children’s Domestic Seating: Requirements for strength, stability, and durability: FIRA/FRQG C002: 2016 + A1: 2017 and is expected to follow EU's listing as a designated standard in the UK, offering a legal presumption of conformity to the General Product Safety Regulations.

According to EN 17191, the relationship between the standard and the safety requirements of Directive 2001/95/EC aimed to be covered shall include all types of seating intended for children as soon as they are able to walk and sit by themselves.

It also implies to seats for children over 12 months, or for example, chairs, benches, stools, bean bags, deckchairs, rocking chairs, reclining chairs, armchairs, foldable chairs etc. for indoor and outdoor use.

The standard has been based on the requirements for EN 71 Part 1, 2, 3 and adult furniture but adapted to suit the needs of children.

Moreover, all potential hazards had been taken into account in the standard:

When a product has obvious dual (or multiple) functions, for example as a toy by virtue of having a play function and a clear function as seating, or by there being a cushioned top on a toy box or by being small chairs with cartoon characters on them, the product would be expected to comply with the toy standard covering its function as a toy and this document covering its seating function.

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