Commission Decision of 6 January 2010 on the safety requirements to be met by European standards for bath rings, bathing aids and bath tubs and stands for infants and young children pursuant to Directive 2001/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2009) 10290) (Text with EEA relevance) (2010/9/EU)

Specific safety requirements for bath rings

RISKS: The main risk associated with the product is drowning.

1. SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

(1) General safety requirements

Articles shall not jeopardise the safety or health of children and carers when they are used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the behaviour of children. The ability of the child and their carers shall be taken into account, in particular, for articles which, by virtue of their functions, dimensions and characteristics, are intended for use by children of under 10 months. Labels on articles or on their packaging and accompanying instructions for use shall draw the attention of users or carers to the hazards and risks of harms inherent in using the articles and to the way of avoiding them.

(2) Specific safety requirements

Chemical requirements

Bath rings shall comply with relevant EU legislation.

Fire and thermal properties

To prevent the risk of scalding from hot water pouring from the tap, instructions shall be given to carers to pay attention to the temperature of the water and to prevent the child from gaining access to the tap.

Physical and mechanical properties

Entrapment hazards from gaps and openings

Articles shall be designed and manufactured in order to prevent:

• Entrapment of fingers as far as possible.

• Entrapment of legs maintaining the child submerged in an opening through which the child was able to slip.

Hazards from moving parts

Articles designed to fold shall have a folding mechanism that cannot be activated by a child or by inadvertent action on the part of the carers. It shall not be possible to erect the product without activating the locking mechanism. Changes in the spacing due to the movement of the child, in particular when his/her weight shifts (between the seat base and the bath tub) shall be prevented and shall not cause severe crushing. Rotating seat bases shall be designed as far as possible in order to prevent lacerations and crushing of the child when they are operated.

Falling hazards

To reduce the risk of falling that could result in drowning; the article and its attachment to the bath tub shall be able to withstand internal and external forces applied by the child that could cause it to tip over. In particular, the article shall not tip over when a child leans in any direction, tries to stand up or pushes the seat over.

Choking hazards

To reduce the risk of choking, the article shall not comprise small parts which are detachable by the force a child can apply and which can fit completely into a child’s mouth. To reduce the risk of choking, filling materials that constitute choking hazards shall not become accessible when submitted to the force a child can apply, in particular by biting.

Suffocation hazards

The article shall not comprise plastic decals which are detachable by the force a child can apply or any other impermeable sheeting of the bath ring which can cover both the mouth and the nose and constitute a suffocation hazard. The packaging in which the articles are contained must not constitute a risk of suffocation by obstructing the mouth and nose airways.

Ingestion hazards

To reduce the risk of ingestion, the article shall not comprise separate or small parts which are detachable by the force a child can apply and which can pass into the oesophagus.

Hazardous edges

Accessible edges shall be designed to prevent lacerations and wounds, especially edges in direct contact with the skin of the child.

Structural integrity

Securing devices (suction cups or other means) that are essential to attach the product shall maintain performance during the lifetime of the product.

To prevent breaking of components likely to cause physical injury, articles shall be able to withstand mechanical stress to which they are subjected during use.

Protective function

To prevent suffocation by drowning, articles shall be designed to accommodate the child in a sitting position only. The design shall take into account relevant anthropometric data relevant to the age range. The protective function must enable the child to be removed easily in an emergency situation

Hazards resulting from action of the child on the securing device of the articles

To prevent drowning hazards, the securing device shall not be able to be activated by a child or by inadvertent action on the part of the carers.

Specific warnings for the article

Warnings and instructions for use shall clearly state that

• the carer shall at all times be in contact with the child

• drowning can occur in a very short time and in very shallow water (± 2 cm)

• the article does not provide any additional safety related to water hazards and drowning has occurred with bath rings.

Warnings and information should be conspicuously displayed on the packaging, on the product and at the point of sale and should be complemented with pictograms.

The warning label shall be durable and should remain visible when the child is in the bath ring.

Information on the vulnerable age range of children (5 to 10 months) shall be provided to carers.

Hygiene

Bath rings shall be designed to be washable and capable of being dried.