prEN 1178-1

Overview

prEN 1178-1: Furniture - High chairs for domestic use - Part 1: Safety requirements is a European standard developed by CEN to define essential safety requirements for children’s high chairs intended for domestic use. The standard focuses on reducing the risk of accidents by specifying minimum safety features and design criteria. This part of EN 1178 applies exclusively to high chairs and does not address additional functions or conversions of the product. Safety guidelines on elements such as backrest height and harness/belt attachment points are detailed in Annex A, considering requirements across CEN member countries.

Key Topics

• Safety Requirements: prEN 1178-1 establishes strict requirements to ensure children's high chairs are structurally safe during typical domestic use scenarios.
• Scope Limitation: The standard applies solely to high chairs designed for residential environments and does not cover products converted for other functions.
• Design Safety: Emphasis is placed on high chair features such as stability, materials used, edges, and accessible parts to minimize injury risks.
• Backrest Height and Harness: Annex A provides country-specific guidance on minimum backrest height, safety harnesses, and secure attachment points, contributing to harmonized safety across Europe.
• International Harmonization: The standard promotes alignment of safety benchmarks across CEN member states, fostering consistency in product safety.

Applications

Manufacturers and testers of domestic children’s high chairs rely on prEN 1178-1 to:

• Product Development: Incorporate safety features during the design and manufacturing process, ensuring compliance before entering the European market.
• Quality Assurance: Develop testing procedures and internal controls that align with the standard’s requirements.
• Market Access: Ensure products meet safety criteria necessary for CE marking or to comply with legal requirements in CEN member countries.
• Consumer Assurance: Provide parents and guardians with confidence in the safety and reliability of domestic high chairs.
• Regulatory Compliance: Support retailers and distributors in sourcing products that meet recognized safety standards.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to children’s furniture safety, consider the following related standards:

• EN 14988: Children’s high chairs - Safety requirements and test methods.
• EN 716: Children’s cots and folding cots for domestic use - Safety requirements and test methods.
• EN 71 Series: Safety of toys - a broader set of requirements, some of which can apply to children’s furniture.
• ISO 9221: Furniture for children - Chairs and tables.

By adhering to prEN 1178-1 and related standards, stakeholders contribute to a safer environment for children and facilitate product acceptance across the European market. The document is a key resource for manufacturers, product developers, regulators, and testing laboratories focused on ensuring high chair safety and compliance.