CEN and CENELEC are committed to ensuring that standards fully address the hazards products may pose to children. Standardization significantly contributes to the safety of products intended for or used by children, as well as those involved in childcare.
Dedicated Technical Committees focus on specific areas of child safety, including:
These committees involve a wide array of stakeholders: manufacturers, consumer organizations, testing bodies, and market surveillance authorities.
Their work aligns with relevant EU legislation, including the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and the General Product Safety Regulation (EU 2023/988).
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Pictograms for childcare articles, developed under EU-funded projects, contribute to better communication of safety information. Some of these are managed by CHAFEA.
Toy Safety
Toys used by children from birth to 14 years must meet stringent safety requirements. The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC harmonizes safety rules across the EU. Compliance with Harmonized Standards (published in the Official Journal of the EU) provides a presumption of conformity with legal requirements.
CEN/TC 52, led by DS (the Danish national standardization body), defines mechanical, chemical, and physical safety requirements. CENELEC/TC 61 handles electrical aspects.
