EN 71-8:2003/prA3
(Amendment)Safety of toys - Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use
Safety of toys - Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use
Amendments relating to various clauses (3.13, 4.1.2, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.3.1 a), 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.6.7, 4.6.8, 6.1.4.2, 6.1.4.3, 6.5.2.2, 6.7 and rationale)
Sicherheit von Spielzeug - Teil 8: Schaukeln, Rutschen und ähnliches Aktivitätsspielzeug für den häuslichen Gebrauch (Innen- und Außenbereich)
Sécurité des jouets - Partie 8: Balançoires, toboggans et jouets d'activité similaires à usage familial en extérieur et en intérieur
Varnost igrač - 8. del: Gugalnice, tobogani in podobne igrače za domačo uporabo v notranjih prostorih in na prostem - Dopolnilo A3
General Information
- Status
- Not Published
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 52 - Safety of toys
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 52/WG 10 - Activity toys
- Current Stage
- 5060 - Closure of Vote - Formal Approval
- Start Date
- 26-Apr-2009
- Due Date
- 15-Jun-2009
- Completion Date
- 26-Apr-2009
- Directive
- 88/378/EEC - Safety of toys
Relations
- Effective Date
- 20-Jun-2009
- Effective Date
- 22-Dec-2008
Overview
The EN 71-8:2003/prA3 standard focuses on the safety requirements for swings, slides, and similar activity toys intended for indoor and outdoor family domestic use. Developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), this document presents amendments to the original EN 71-8:2003 standard, incorporating updates to definitions, structural requirements, and testing procedures to enhance child safety on these playground toys.
This amendment aims to provide clearer guidance to manufacturers and consumers, ensuring that family domestic toys meet rigorous safety standards that prevent injuries related to falls, entrapments, or mechanical failures.
Key Topics
1. Definitions and Scope
- Addition of new terms such as exposed edges (edges intended to be gripped during play) and refinement of existing definitions, e.g. the swing structure.
- Clarifies the height limits and design features for domestic activity toys.
2. Structural Safety and Maximum Dimensions
- Maximum height limit set at 2,500 mm for any part designed for climbing or sitting, minimizing fall risk.
- Specific dimensional requirements for ladders, climbing ropes, and steps, emphasizing grip, width, and slip resistance.
- Stability tests for see-saws, swings, and slides to prevent tipping or collapse.
3. Entrapment Prevention
- Updated criteria for head and neck entrapment, mandating all accessible openings above 600 mm to pass probe tests ensuring no entrapment hazards.
4. Strength and Durability
- Enhanced methods and criteria for testing the strength of crossbeams, swing devices, and suspension connectors.
- Suspension methods must avoid knots tied by consumers, requiring prefixed suspension couplings for safety and durability.
5. Slide and Swing Design
- Requirements for retaining sides on slides adjusted based on height to prevent falls.
- Mandatory handrails at slide starts with height depending on slide elevation for stability during child access.
- Minimum clearances between swing elements and the ground, with special rules for varying suspension types (rigid vs semi-flexible).
- Specifications for swings designed for children under 36 months include mandatory backrests and safety devices such as T-bars or crotch straps.
6. See-Saw Safety Measures
- Stability requirements, including testing with or without anchors.
- Restrictions on maximum seat/stand height (1,200 mm).
- Inclusion of dampening materials or devices to protect against abrupt stops.
- Measures preventing finger and toe pinching through design clearances.
7. Assembly and Installation Instructions
- Precise instructions are mandatory with product delivery, including:
- Assembly guidance understandable by unskilled persons.
- Recommendations for safe placement with safety clearance zones from obstacles.
- Information about adjustable ground clearance for swings to ensure proper setup.
Applications
The amendments to EN 71-8:2003 specifically apply to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of family domestic swings, slides, and similar activity toys. They serve as a critical reference to:
- Design and manufacture safe playground equipment for home use.
- Perform compliance testing according to updated strength, stability, and entrapment standards.
- Provide clear assembly instructions to end-users to avoid installation errors.
- Ensure that products placed on the market meet safety expectations aligned with EU directives.
Consumers and regulatory bodies can also rely on EN 71-8:2003/prA3 for evaluating the safety and suitability of toys intended for children’s physical activity at home.
Related Standards
- EN 71 Series: EN 71-8 is part of the overall EN 71 toy safety standards covering various hazards related to toys.
- EN 71-1: Safety related to mechanical and physical properties of toys.
- EN 71-9 to 11: Chemical properties applicable to toys, ensuring no harmful substances in play equipment.
- ISO 8124 series: International standards on toy safety, complementary to EN 71.
- Local national standards transposing EN 71-8, ensuring conformity with regional safety regulations.
Summary
The EN 71-8:2003/prA3 amendment enhances the safety framework for swings, slides, and similar activity toys used indoors or outdoors by families. Focusing on physical dimensions, structural integrity, entrapment hazards, and clear user instructions, it secures a safer play environment to reduce injury risks and improve product reliability. Manufacturers should adopt these updated standards to ensure compliance and consumer trust in the safety of domestic play equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 71-8:2003/prA3 is a draft published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Safety of toys - Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use". This standard covers: Amendments relating to various clauses (3.13, 4.1.2, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.3.1 a), 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.6.7, 4.6.8, 6.1.4.2, 6.1.4.3, 6.5.2.2, 6.7 and rationale)
Amendments relating to various clauses (3.13, 4.1.2, 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.3.1 a), 4.5.2, 4.5.3, 4.6.7, 4.6.8, 6.1.4.2, 6.1.4.3, 6.5.2.2, 6.7 and rationale)
EN 71-8:2003/prA3 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 97.200.50 - Toys. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 71-8:2003/prA3 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 71-8:2003+A4:2009, EN 71-8:2003. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 71-8:2003/prA3 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 88/378/EEC; Standardization Mandates: M/236. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase EN 71-8:2003/prA3 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 71-8:2003/oprA3:2008
01-januar-2008
9DUQRVWLJUDþGHO*XJDOQLFHWRERJDQLLQSRGREQHLJUDþH]DGRPDþRXSRUDER
YQRWUDQMLKSURVWRULKLQQDSURVWHP'RSROQLOR$
Safety of toys - Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor
family domestic use
Sicherheit von Spielzeug - Teil 8: Schaukeln, Rutschen und ähnliches Aktivitätsspielzeug
für den häuslichen Gebrauch (Innen- und Außenbereich)
Sécurité des jouets - Partie 8: Balançoires, toboggans et jouets d'activité similaires a
usage familial en extérieur et en intérieur
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 71-8:2003/prA3
ICS:
97.200.50 ,JUDþH Toys
SIST EN 71-8:2003/oprA3:2008 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.
EUROPEAN STANDARD
DRAFT
EN 71-8:2003
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
prA3
November 2007
ICS 97.200.50
English Version
Safety of toys - Part 8: Swings, slides and similar activity toys for
indoor and outdoor family domestic use
Sécurité des jouets - Partie 8: Balançoires, toboggans et Sicherheit von Spielzeug - Teil 8: Schaukeln, Rutschen und
jouets d'activité similaires à usage familial en extérieur et ähnliches Aktivitätsspielzeug für den häuslichen Gebrauch
en intérieur (Innen- und Außenbereich)
This draft amendment is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee CEN/TC 52.
This draft amendment A3, if approved, will modify the European Standard EN 71-8:2003. If this draft becomes an amendment, CEN
members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for inclusion of this amendment
into the relevant national standard without any alteration.
This draft amendment was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made
by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are aware and to
provide supporting documentation.
Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without notice and
shall not be referred to as a European Standard.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels
© 2007 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 71-8:2003/prA3:2007: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
Contents Page
Foreword.3
3 Definitions .4
4 Requirements.4
4.1.2 Maximum height (see A.9) .4
4.1.5 Climbing and swinging ropes.5
4.2.2 Ladders and similar means of access to toys (see A.10).5
4.3.1 Head and neck entrapment.6
4.4 Stability of activity toys other than slides, swings and toys with crossbeams, and see-
saws .7
4.5.2 Retaining sides for slides (see A.13) .7
4.5.3 Starting, sliding and run-out section on slides .7
4.5.4 Means of access to slides.8
4.6.2 Strength of crossbeams, swing devices and suspension connectors.8
4.6.3 Swings intended for children under 36 months .9
4.6.8 Suspension connectors and means of suspension.9
4.7 See-saws.10
4.7.1 Stability of see-saws .10
4.7.2 Seat/stand height.10
4.7.3 Restraint of motion.10
4.7.4 Pinching and crushing of fingers and toes.10
4.7.4 Hand supports.10
5.2 Assembly and installation instruction.10
6.1.5 Stability of see-saws.12
6.2.2 Strength of swings (see 4.6.2).12
6.7 Diameter of ropes and chains for swings (see 4.6.8).12
Annex A (informative).13
A.9 General requirements (maximum height) (see 4.1.2).13
A.10 Ladders and similar means of access to toys (see 4.2.2) .13
A.11 Clearance between swing elements and the ground for crossbeams with a maximum
height of 1 200 mm (see 4.6.7).13
A.12 Stability of swings and other activity toys with crossbeams (see 6.1.4.1.3).13
A.13 Retaining sides for slides (see 4.5.2).13
Foreword
This document (EN 71-8:2003/prA3:2007) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 52 “Safety of
toys”, the secretariat of which is held by DS.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).
3 Definitions
Add a new definition
(to become 3.6 and renumber the rest of the definitions of clause 3):
3.6
exposed edges
edges intended to be used and gripped by a child during the use of the toy (e.g. doors, windows, shutters,
ladders, steps, handrails, retaining sides for slide, seat)
Amend 3.13 (now 3.14) as follows:
3.14
swing
structure incorporating a crossbeam, suspension connectors and a swing device with swing element,
suspension coupling and means of suspension (see Figure 2)
Key:
1 Swing device
2 Crossbeam
3 Suspension connector
4 Suspension coupling
5 Means of suspension
6 Swing element (e.g. seat, rings, bar, gondola)
Figure 2 ― Diagrammatic representation of a swing
4 Requirements
Amend 4.1.2 to read:
4.1.2 Maximum height (see A.9)
There shall be no part of the activity toy that has been designed to encourage the child to climb, sit or stand
on which is over a height of 2 500 mm when measured from the ground.
Amend 4.1.5 as follows:
(additional requirement for climbing nets):
4.1.5 Climbing and swinging ropes
Ropes used for climbing and swinging shall have the following diameters:
Ropes fixed at both ends diameter between 18 mm and 45 mm
Ropes used in climbing nets diameter between 10 mm and 45 mm
Free-hanging ropes fixed at upper end diameter between 25 mm and 45 mm
Amend 4.2.2 as follows:
(Changes in title; 2nd para; b); c); d); e); f); new h); Figure 3).
Unchanged: a); g).
4.2.2 Ladders and similar means of access to toys (see A.10)
These requirements do not apply to toys with a platform height of 600 mm or less.
Ladders and similar means of access to toys shall comply with the requirements in items a) to h).
a) Any opening shall comply with 4.3.1 (head and neck entrapment, probes C and D and test template E).
b) Where a ladder or a stair is used, the lateral width of the tread or rung shall be 240 mm or more (see
Figure 3 a).
c) The distance between the upper surfaces of the treads or rungs shall not exeed 310 mm, when
measured vertically in accordance with Figure 3 b).
This requirement does not apply to the vertical distance between the ground and the upper surface of
the first step.
d) The surface of the tread shall not be slippery. This can be achieved by corrugation of the steps or by the
use of other types of materials.
e) When ladders are provided with rungs, the maximum cross sectional dimension of the rungs shall be not
less than 16 mm and not more than 45 mm.
f) The depth of treads on closed step ladders shall be 120 mm or more.
g) The inclination for ladders that are fixed to the toy shall be between 55° and 90° to the horizontal
h) Ladders with a height of 1 200 mm or more shall be provided with handrails from a height of 600 mm
from the ground to the top of the platform (see Figure 3 a). This requirement does not apply to ladders
with rungs.
Dimensions in millimetres
Figure 3 a)
Figure 3 b)
Figure 3 – Dimensions of ladders
Amend 4.3.1, a) as follows:
(addition of the word 'all')
4.3.1 Head and neck entrapment
a) All accessible completely bound openings with a lower edge of 600 mm or more above the ground, or
above any other surface which is of such a size that it will support a child, shall, if they allow passage of
probe C (see Figure 10), also allow passage of probe D (see Figure 11) when tested in accordance with
6.5.1 (head and neck entrapment in completely bound openings).
Amend 4.4 as follows:
(additional words in title and in the NOTE):
4.4 Stability of activity toys other than slides, swings and toys with crossbeams, and see-
saws
NOTE Stability requirements for slides are given in 4.5.1, for swings and other activity toys with crossbeams in 4.6.1, and
for see-saws in 4.7.1.
Amend 4.5.2 as follows:
(new b); changes in a) and c)):
Figure 5 unchanged.
4.5.2 Retaining sides for slides (see A.13)
Retaining sides for slides shall comply with the following (see Figure 5):
a) For slides with a height of more than 1 500 mm measured from the ground, the height (h) of the retaining
sides shall be 100 mm or more.
b) For slides with a height between 1 000 mm and 1 500 mm m
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