Safety
If you work with materials for baby or children's items, you want to be sure of one thing:
Am I doing it safely?
On this page you can read in broad terms how safety regarding pacifier cords, teething rings and chains is regulated in Europe, and what you as a maker or user must take into account. No technical story, but clear explanation.
Safety: what exactly is it?
In Europe, product safety is determined by legislation and standards. Which rules apply depends on it use of a product.
An important distinction is:
- Products intended to to play along
- Products intended as tool or accessory
That difference determines which requirements apply.
What does that mean for the most common items?
Teething rings
Teething rings are meant for biting and playing with. Therefore, in practice they are seen as toys. Strict rules apply to toys, especially when used by babies and young children.
Do you sell teething rings? Then you have to have it tested end product at.
Pacifier chains
A pacifier clip is not a toy, but a consumer item. A separate safety standard applies for this. This standard covers, among other things:
- Maximum length
- Construction
- Confirmation
Even if something looks sturdy, it can still be unsafe in practice. That is why it is important to take these guidelines seriously.
Necklaces
Necklaces require extra attention:
Children's chains are only intended for children aged 3 years and over, and always with a safety closure
Food chains are intended to be worn by an adult while feeding and should never be given separately to a child
And the materials?
The materials you use play a major role in safety.
In Europe, strict requirements apply to products that are mouthed by babies, including chemical composition.
The materials I sell comply with the applicable European guidelines for it intended use of individual parts. As the maker of an end product, you always remain responsible for how these materials are used.
What does this mean for you in concrete terms?
- Prepare something own use?
Then it is especially important that you choose consciously and check products regularly. - Create your products sell?
Then you will have to deal with additional responsibilities, such as testing and documentation of your end product.
To help you with this, I have created a practical step-by-step plan.
👉 View the step-by-step plan: get started safely
Working safely = consciously choosing
Safety does not lie in one rule or one test, but in:
Suitable materials
Safe shapes and sizes
Thread carefully
Use wisely
I'm sharing this information because I think it's important for you to know what you should pay attention to.
Not to scare you, but to help you do it right.
Read more
Would you like to delve deeper? Then you will find more specific information here: