Designing with Baby in Mind – Engineering Standards for Children’s Products
Engineering Standards for Children and Infant's Products
Children are not little adults, and engineering standards have evolved to take that into account. Products for use by children must meet different standards that products for adults, and infant products must meet rigorous safety and performance standards.
ANSI Standards for Baby Products
AAMI II36 was the FDA recognized safety standard for baby incubators. AAMI II36 was ANSI approved. It has been replaced by AAMI 60601-2-19, also ANSI approved. For many other American products, engineers should reference ASTM standards for guidance for designing for babies and young children.
ASTM Standards for Infant and Children’s Products
ASTM D4910 gives the range of body measurements for infants from preemie (prematurely born infants) to children up to 24 months of age.
ASTM F2951 gives the American standards for baby monitors to ensure that they are safe for use near young children.ASTM F2388 is the standard for domestic changing tables.
ASTM F966 was the safety standard for baby crib corner post extensions. It was withdrawn in 2000 without replacement. UL 2275 was the Underwriter's Laboratory standard for full size cribs, but it was withdrawn in 2001. ASTM F1169, the safety specification for full size baby cribs, is still in effect.
ASTM F406 is the ASTM safety specification for play yards.
ASTM F2670 is the safety standard for baby bath tubs. ASTM F1967 is the safety standard for baby bath seats.
ASTM F2167 is the safety standard for infant bouncer seats. ASTM F2088 gives the safety standards for baby swings. ASTM F2236 gives the safety specifications for soft infant carriers.
European Standards for Children’s Products
BSI BS 7368 is officially called the "specification for babies’ elastomeric feeding bottle teats". For the rest of us, this is the standard for the plastic nipples on baby bottles. This standard was first published in 1990 and renewed in 1997 and 2012.
DS EN 1400 is the standard for soothers designed for infants and toddlers.
DS EN 1273 is the standard for baby walking frames, including the methods used to test them. This standard replaced BSI BS 4648.
BSI BS 5239 was the European standard for dummies that simulated infants during testing. This standard was withdrawn in 1991. It has been replaced by BSI BS EN 1400 parts 1 through 3.
BSI BS 4139 was the safety standard for baby carriages, also called preambulators. It has been replaced by BSI BS 7409. BSI BS EN 1929 is the standard for basket trolleys used to carry children.
BSI BS 4578 is the safety specification for testing the hardness of infant pillows and how well they allow air flow through. This safety standard is intended to ensure that infant pillows do not pose a suffocation hazard for babies.
AENOR UNE 40902 is the Spanish safety standard for clothing for babies.
DIN 13233 was the German standard for emergency doctor's kits intended for pediatric patients. DIN 13233 has been replaced by DIN 13232.
ISO Standards for Children’s Products
ISO 28803 is an ergonomic standard to accommodate of people with special requirements, including babies in addition to the disabled.
ISO 18778 is the standard for respiratory infant monitors.
Government Standards for Infant and Children’s Products
16 CFR PART 1215 is the federal safety standard for baby bath seats. 16 CFR PART 1216 is the U.S. government's standard for infant walkers.
16 CFR PART 1219 is the U.S. federal safety standard for full size baby cribs. It went into effect on June 28, 2011. 16 CFR PART 1220 is the
safety standard for baby cribs that are not classified as full size. This safety standard also went into effect on June 28, 2011.
16 CFR PART 1501 is the safety standard for identifying toys that pose a choking or inhalation hazard for children under three years old.
16 CFR PART 1130 sets consumer registration requirements for infant and toddler products in case they need to be recalled later.
FMVSS 49 CFR 571 71 FR 14675 was a proposed rule to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that would have exempted pregnant women from wearing seat belts. This rule as denied because of the greater risk of harm to a pregnant woman and her baby in an impact without a seat belt than the low risk of harm if she wore a seat belt while pregnant.
