European Union Published New Version Standard for Reclined cradles

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) issued a new version of standard EN 12790-1:2023 and EN 12790-2:2023 for reclined cradles to replace the old version EN 12790:2009.

The two parts now cover two different range of products:

• Part 1 of the standard is applicable to reclined cradles for children up to when they start trying to sit up
• Part 2 covers reclined cradles for children up to when they start to stand up, introducing more stringent requirements and tests

The scope of EN12790-1 corresponds to that of EN12790: 2009.

In part 2, the standard expands the scope to cover fixed or folding reclined cradles for children up to when they start to stand up.

Car seats that comply with UN ECE R44 or UN ECE R129 that can be used as reclined cradles according to the manufacturer's instructions are also covered by both parts of the standard, depending on the size of the children for whom they are intended.

In comparison with EN 12790:2009, the significant technical changes relate to the following topic for EN 12790-1:

-Section 4 newly add and revise Test equipment

-Section 5 newly add General requirements and test conditions

-Section 6 a limit for formaldehyde has been added and requirements for colorants and aniline have been introduced

-Section 7 newly add Thermal hazards

-Clause 8.1 newly add General requirements for mechanical hazards

-Clause 8.2 newly add Hazards due to sound level

-Clause 8.3 revise Entrapment hazards

-Clause 8.4 revise requirements for Hazards due to moving parts

-Clause 8.5.2 revise requirements and test methods for restraint system

-Clause 8.5.3 revise requirements and test methods for carrying handle

-Clause 8.6 revise hazards due to folding of the product

-Clause 8.7 newly add Entanglement hazards

-Clause 8.9 newly add Suffocation hazards from plastic packaging

-Clause 8.11.2 newly adds Dynamic strength

-Clause 8.11.4 newly adds requirements and test method for powered mechanisms

-Clause 8.11.5 revise durability of reclined cradles with carrying handle

-Clause 8.11.7 newly adds requirements and test method for toy bar attachment

-Clause 8.14 newly add Electric hazards

-Section 9 general update of product information clause with the introduction of symbols following CEN/TR 13387-5

Introduction of an Annex giving relevant translations for warning sentences.

In addition, this new European standard EN 12790-2 newly add Forward stability in clause 6.1 and revise Product information in clause 7.

EN 12790-2 has been introduced to broaden the scope of the standard and considers the real use of these products by older children. Please note that EN 12790-2 should only be applied in combination with EN12790-1, it cannot be used separately.

  -This part of the standard adds a forward stability test in clause 6.1, considering older children are more active.

  -The mass used for the static strength test in clause 6.2 is increased, from 20 kg up to 27 kg

  -The dynamic strength test (6.3) shall be carried out with a 20 kg test mass, instead of 15 kg

  -The 9 kg test mass used for the test of the reclining system (6.4) and hazards from possible slippage of the reclined cradle (6.5), is replaced by a 12 kg test mass.

  -Product information in clause 7 is also adapted to reflect the ability of the children the reclined cradle is intended for.

In accordance with European National Standard organizations bound to CEN/CENELEC rules conflicting national standards must be withdrawn in March 2024.