Doc ref: CW/41.0020.

06
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 14988-2
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2006

ICS 97.140; 97.190 Supersedes ENV 1178-2:1994

English Version

Children's high chairs - Part 2: Test methods

Chaises hautes pour enfants - Partie 2: Méthodes d'essai Kinderhochstühle - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 6 February 2006.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists 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 Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, 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.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36 B-1050 Brussels

© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 14988-2:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Contents Page

Introduction......................................................................................................................................................5
1 Scope ...................................................................................................................................................6
2 Normative references .........................................................................................................................6
3 Terms and definitions.........................................................................................................................6
4 General test conditions ......................................................................................................................6
4.1 Preliminary preparation......................................................................................................................6
4.2 Test sequence .....................................................................................................................................6
4.3 Tolerances ...........................................................................................................................................6
5 Test equipment ...................................................................................................................................7
5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................7
5.2 Test dummy.........................................................................................................................................7
5.3 Impact hammer ...................................................................................................................................8
5.4 Loading pad.........................................................................................................................................9
5.5 Stops....................................................................................................................................................9
5.6 Floor surface .......................................................................................................................................9
5.7 Beams ..................................................................................................................................................9
5.7.1 Beam for stability test.........................................................................................................................9
5.7.2 Beam for height of lateral protection test .........................................................................................9
5.8 Slide gauges........................................................................................................................................9
5.9 Force-measuring device ...................................................................................................................10
5.10 Test load ............................................................................................................................................10
5.11 Small parts cylinder ..........................................................................................................................10
5.12 Small torso probe..............................................................................................................................11
5.13 Device for measuring the angle, the length and the height of the back rest and the height
of the lateral protection ....................................................................................................................12
6 Test procedures ................................................................................................................................13
6.1 General ..............................................................................................................................................13
6.2 Impact test .........................................................................................................................................13
6.3 Durability of the locking mechanism...............................................................................................14
6.4 Strength of the locking mechanism.................................................................................................14
6.5 Small parts.........................................................................................................................................14
6.6 Openings ...........................................................................................................................................15
6.6.1 Openings between moving parts .....................................................................................................15
6.7 Strength of harness/belt attachment points ...................................................................................15
6.8 Strength of harness, belt and crotch strap or bar ..........................................................................15
6.9 Back rest tests ..................................................................................................................................15
6.9.1 Determination of back rest angle.....................................................................................................15
6.10 Seat vertical static load test .............................................................................................................16
6.11 Footrest vertical static load test ......................................................................................................16
6.12 Height of lateral protection...............................................................................................................16
6.13 Stability tests.....................................................................................................................................16
6.13.1 Positioning ........................................................................................................................................16
6.13.2 Sideways stability .............................................................................................................................16
6.13.3 Rearwards stability ...........................................................................................................................17
6.13.4 Forwards stability .............................................................................................................................18
6.13.5 Footrest and horizontal frame member stability ............................................................................19
6.14 Tray tests ...........................................................................................................................................20
6.14.1 Tray strength test..............................................................................................................................20
6.14.2 Tray vertical static load test and stability .......................................................................................20

2
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

6.14.3 Tray drop test ....................................................................................................................................20

7 Test report .........................................................................................................................................21

3
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 14988-2:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC BT/TF 144 “High
Chairs”, the secretariat of which is held by UNI.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2006, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by September 2006.

This European Standard consist of the following parts:

-Part 1: Safety requirements

-Part 2: Test methods

This document supersedes ENV 1178-2:1994

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, 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.

4
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Introduction
This part of EN 14988 has been prepared in order to specify test methods to provide assurance that children’s
high chairs comply with the requirements in Part 1.

The tests are designed to evaluate properties without regard to materials, design/construction or manufacturing
processes.

5
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard specifies test methods for the assessment of the requirements of children’s high chairs.

2 Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this Technical Specification. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

EN 14988-1, Children’s high chairs - Part 1: Safety requirements

ISO 7619-2, Rubber vulcanised or thermoplastic - Determination of indentation hardness – Part 2: IRHD
pocket meter method

3 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this European Standard, the terms and definitions given in EN 14988-1 apply.

4 General test conditions

4.1 Preliminary preparation

The tests are designed to be applied to a high chair that is fully assembled and ready for use.

The tests shall be carried out in indoor ambient conditions, but if during a test the temperature is outside the
range 15°C to 25 °C, the maximum and/or minimum temperature shall be recorded in the test report.

The high chair shall be tested as delivered. If of knock down type it shall be assembled according to the
manufacturer’s instructions supplied with the high chair. If the high chair can be assembled or combined in
different ways or if components can be adjusted, the most adverse combination/adjustment shall be used for
each test.

Knock-down fittings shall be tightened before testing. Further re-tightening shall not take place unless this is
specifically required by the manufacturer.

In the case of designs not catered for in the test procedures, the tests shall be carried out as far as possible
as described, and deviations from the test procedure recorded in the test report.

4.2 Test sequence

The tests shall be carried out on one sample in the order laid down in this standard.

4.3 Tolerances

Unless otherwise stated, the following tolerances apply:

 Forces: ± 5%;

 Masses: ± 0,5%;

 Dimensions: ± 1,0 mm;

6
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

 Angles: ± 2°.

 Positioning of loading pads: ± 5 mm

The forces may be replaced by masses. The relationship of 10 N = 1 Kg shall be used.

5 Test equipment

5.1 General

Unless otherwise specified, test forces may be applied by any suitable device because results are dependent
only upon correctly applied forces and not upon the apparatus.

The test forces in the static load tests shall be applied sufficiently slowly to ensure that negligible dynamic
forces are applied.

5.2 Test dummy

A rigid cylinder 200 mm in diameter and 300 mm in height, having a mass of 15 kg and with its centre of
gravity 150 mm above its base. All the edges of the cylinder shall have a radius of 5 mm. Two safety harness
anchorage points shall be provided. These shall be positioned 150 mm from the base and 180° to each other
around the circumference (see Figure 1).

Key

1 Edge radius: (5±1) mm

2 Attachment points

Figure 1 — Test dummy

7
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

5.3 Impact hammer

A striker in the form of a cylindrical object having a total mass of 6,5 kg supported from a pivot by a steel tube
of 38 mm in diameter and with a wall thickness of 2 mm (see Figure 2). The distance between the pivot and
the centre of gravity of the striker shall be 1000 mm. The pendulum arm shall be pivoted by a low friction
bearing.

Dimensions in millimetres

Key

1 Pendulum head, steel mass 6,4 kg

2 Hardwood
3 Rubber 50 IRHD (ISO 7619-2)
4 Pendulum arm, length 950 mm; high tensile steel tube ∅ 38 x 2 mm; mass 2 kg ± 0,2 kg
5 Pivot point
Mass of assembly (Pos. No 1,2 and 3): 6,5 kg ± 0,07 kg

Figure 2 — Impact hammer

8
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

5.4 Loading pad

A rigid cylindrical object 100 mm in diameter having a smooth hard surface and rounded edges with radius of
12 mm.

5.5 Stops

Stops to prevent the article from sliding but not tilting, no higher than 12 mm except in cases where the design
of the item necessitates the use of higher stops, in which case the lowest stops that will prevent the item from
moving shall be used.

5.6 Floor surface

Horizontal, flat and rigid with a smooth surface. For the tests 6.2 and 6.14.3 a rubber mat 2 mm thick, with
hardness 85 ± 5 IRHD according to ISO 7619-2, shall be used on a concrete floor.

5.7 Beams

5.7.1 Beam for stability test

A beam, 900 mm ± 5 mm long with a mass of 0,5 kg ± 10 g.

5.7.2 Beam for height of lateral protection test

A beam, 86 mm wide with a mass of 0,5 kg ± 10 g.

5.8 Slide gauges

Cones with an angle of 30°± 0,5° made of plastics or other hard, smooth material mounted on a force
−0,1 −0,1
measuring device (see Figure 3). There shall be four cones having diameters 5 mm 0 mm, 7 mm 0 mm,
0 0
12 mm + 0,1 mm and 18 mm +0,1 mm.

Figure 3 — Example of slide gauges

9
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

5.9 Force-measuring device

E.g. a dynamometer.

5.10 Test load

Cylinder of 5 kg mass and 100 mm diameter.

5.11 Small parts cylinder

Small parts cylinder for assessment of small components, having dimensions in accordance with Figure 4.

Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 4 — Test cylinder

10
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

5.12 Small torso probe

The small torso probe shall be made from plastics or other hard, smooth material with dimensions as shown in
Figure 5.

Dimensions in millimeters

a b c

86 40 120

Key
1 Handle
Figure 5 — Small torso probe

11
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

5.13 Device for measuring the angle, the length and the height of the back rest and the
height of the lateral protection

Dimension in millimetres

Key
1 Pivot hole
2 Base board: 9 mm plywood or hardwood
3 Allowed cut-off for crotch restraint
4 Measuring device - reclining board : 30 mm × 12 mm hardwood
Pivot pin : 5 mm × 60 mm steel or other hard material

Figure 6 — Device for measuring the back rest angle, length and height

12
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Key
1 Seat frame
2 Angle to be measured
3 Test dummy (5.2)
4 Measuring device
L Length of the back rest
H Height of the back rest

Figure 7 — Measurement of the back rest angle, length and height

6 Test procedures

6.1 General

Before beginning the tests, visually inspect the high chair thoroughly. Record defects so that they are not
assumed to have been caused by the tests.

6.2 Impact test

Place the high chair on the floor surface (5.6) in an upright position with legs against stops (5.5), opposite to
the direction of the force. If there is a removable tray it shall be removed or left on according to which is most
likely to cause failure. The impact hammer (5.3) shall strike, from the outside, the centre of the uppermost
point of the back, the front, and both lateral protections. Adjust the impact hammer to fall from a height (H in
Figure 8) of 116 mm. The hammer shall strike the structure at the impact point, when the arm of the impact
hammer is vertical. (see Figure 8).

13
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Repeat the test from the inside of the back rest in the same manner as above.

Repeat the test for a total of 10 times, at each point.

Figure 8 — Impact test

6.3 Durability of the locking mechanism

Operate any locking or attachment mechanism 300 times.

Before and after carrying out the test, measure the force required to operate the mechanism.

6.4 Strength of the locking mechanism

Place the high chair on the floor with the test dummy (5.2) in the centre of the seat.

Apply a force of 200 N at the point and in the direction considered most likely to fold the high chair.

If the high chair tends to tilt secure it in a manner which does not prevent the folding.

Record whether the high chair collapses.

6.5 Small parts

Apply a tensile force to the component to be tested through a clamp or other suitable means. The force shall
be:

 50 N where the largest accessible dimension of the component is less than or equal to 6mm

14
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

 90 N where the largest accessible dimension of the component is greater than 6 mm

Apply the force gradually over 5 s and maintain for 10 s. If the component has become detached, check
whether the component fits wholly within the cylinder (5.11).

6.6 Openings

6.6.1 Openings between moving parts

Check if the 5 mm slide gauge penetrates the gap with a force of no more than 30 N.

If the 5 mm slide gauge penetrates check whether the 18 mm slide gauge (5.8) with an applied force of up to
5 N, penetrates the gap.

6.6.2 Other openings

Check whether the 7 mm slide gauge with an applied force of up to 30 N, enters 10 mm or more into any
accessible opening in any possible direction. If the 7 mm slide gauge enters 10 mm or more check if the 12
mm slide gauge enters 10 mm or more with an applied force of up to 5 N.

Check whether openings are closing to less than 12 mm under a force of 50 N unless the distance is always
less than 5 mm.

Check whether the small torso probe with an applied force of up to 30 N, enters into any accessible opening
located above the seat in any possible orientation.

6.7 Strength of harness/belt attachment points

With the seat of the high chair held rigidly in its upright position, apply a force of 150 N for 1 min in the
direction most likely to cause failure to each of the harness/belt attachment points.

6.8 Strength of harness, belt and crotch strap or bar

Apply a force of 150 N to the harness, belt, crotch strap or bar for 1 min in the direction most likely to cause
failure.

6.9 Back rest tests

6.9.1 Determination of back rest angle

Position the device shown in Figure 6 on the centreline of the seat of the high chair as far toward the rear as
possible and locate the test dummy centrally on the base board as shown in Figure 7. Ensure that the
reclining board is resting firmly against the back rest. Measure the angle between the reclining board and the
base board as shown in Figure 7.

Record the angle of the back rest

6.9.2 Determination of back rest height

Position the device shown in Figure 6 on the centreline of the seat of the high chair as far toward the rear as
possible and locate the test dummy centrally on the base board as shown in Figure 7. Measure the vertical
distance between the top of the back rest and the surface of the seat, as shown in Figure 7.

Record the height of the back rest.

15
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

6.9.3 Determination of length of reclinable back rest

Position the device shown in Figure 6 on the centreline of the seat of the high chair as far toward the rear as
possible and locate the test dummy centrally on the base board as shown in Figure 7. Ensure that the
reclining board is resting firmly against the back rest. Measure the length of the back rest, as shown in Figure
7.

Record the length of the back rest.

6.9.4 Strength of reclinable back rest mechanism

Adjust the back rest to the middle of its adjustment range or, for backrests with only two possible positions,
adjust the back rest in the most upright position. With the base of the high chair secured to the floor, apply
through the loading pad (5.4) a rearward force of 100 N perpendicular to the centre of the back rest at a point
50 mm below its top edge for 1h.

6.10 Seat vertical static load test

Position a mass of 40 kg, distributed over an area of 150 mm x 150 mm on the centre of the seat. Maintain the
load for 1 min. Lift the high chair clear of the floor at the point of balance on the lateral protection. Maintain the
high chair off the floor for 1 minute. Remove the load.

6.11 Footrest vertical static load test

Position a mass of 20 kg, distributed over an area of 75 mm x 150 mm on the centre of the footrest. Maintain
the load for 1 min. Remove the load.

6.12 Height of lateral protection

Position the cylinder (5.10) on the centreline of the seat and place the beam (5.7.2) across to the lowest points
of the lateral protection. Measure the distance between the under surface of the beam and the surface of the
seat.

Record the height of the lateral protection.

6.13 Stability tests

6.13.1 Positioning

Place the high chair on the floor surface (5.6).

If the high chair is likely to slide during the tests, place stops (5.5) on the floor against the appropriate leg or
legs.

For the stability tests in 6.13.2 and 6.13.3 the beam (5.7.1) shall be fixed to the high chair in a manner so that
the weight of the beam is balanced, i.e. the beam and its fixing shall have no influence on the stability of the
high chair.

NOTE It is recommended to use fixings, which are as light as possible, e.g. strings, thus ensuring that minimum
vertical force is applied.

6.13.2 Sideways stability

With the high chair assembled (4.1) and positioned as specified in 6.13.1 and with the beam (5.7.1) fastened
to the high chair above the lateral centreline of the seat, apply a downward vertical force of 150 N to the beam

16
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

at a distance of 140 mm horizontally outward from the inside edge of one arm or lateral protection of the high
chair (see Figure 9).

Record whether the high chair overturns.

Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 9 — Sideways stability

6.13.3 Rearwards stability

With the high chair assembled (4.1) and positioned as specified in 6.13.1, apply a vertical force of 150 N at a
distance of 140 mm horizontally outwards from the centre of the inside edge of the back (see Figure 10).

Record whether the high chair overturns.

17
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 10 — Rearwards stability

6.13.4 Forwards stability

With the high chair assembled (4.1) and positioned as specified in 6.13.1, place the test load (5.10) at the
centre line of the seat with its centre of gravity 80 mm from the front edge of the of the seat (see Figure 11).

When the front edge of the seat is made of a flexible material, measure the distance when the front edge is
under a force of 5 N inwards.

Apply a horizontal force of 25 N outwards at the uppermost front part of the high chair.

Record whether the high chair overturns.

18
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

Dimensions in millimetres

Figure 11 — Forwards stability

6.13.5 Footrest and horizontal frame member stability

Assemble and position the high chair as specified in 4.1, with the footrest attached. Remove detachable tray.

With the high chair unloaded, apply a downward vertical force of 200 N through the loading pad (5.4).

Apply the force to the footrest or horizontal member at a position 25 mm from the outer edge. If the footrest or
horizontal member is less than 50 mm wide apply the force at the centre (see Figure 12).

Apply the force downwards to the footrest. Repeat the test to any horizontal frame member most likely to
cause overturning.

Record whether the high chair overturns.

Figure 12 — Footrest and horizontal member stability

19
EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

6.14 Tray tests

6.14.1 Tray strength test

With the tray fitted to the high chair, fix the seat of the high chair so that it cannot move in the direction of the
force being applied. Apply in turn a horizontal force of 200 N 10 times to the tray at the following positions:

a) forward at the centre of the front edge at its uppermost surface;

b) rearward at the centre of the rear edge at its uppermost surface;

c) sideward at the centre of one side at its uppermost surface;

d) sideward at the centre of the opposite side at its uppermost surface.

The test force shall be maintained for 30 s.

6.14.2 Tray vertical static load test and stability

With the high chair unloaded, apply a downward vertical force of 200 N at the geometric centre of the tray (see
Figure 13). Maintain the load for 1 min. Remove the load.

Record whether the high chair overturns.

Figure 13 — Tray stability

6.14.3 Tray drop test

This test is only applicable to removable trays.

Remove the tray from the high chair and drop it once through a height of 1000 mm onto the floor surface (5.6),
on each of the following positions:

 on one long edge

20
 EN 14988-2:2006 (E)

 on one short edge,

 on the bottom,

 adjacent to the fastening points,

 and on three other points likely to be damaged by the test.

7 Test report
The test report shall include at least the following information:

a) reference to this part of EN 14988;

b) details of the high chair tested (relevant data);

c) test results according to 6.1 to 6.14;

d) compliance with requirements according to EN 14988;

e) details of any deviation from this part of EN 14988;

f) name and address of the test facility;

g) date of test.

21