Project results

Over the years, many children have been involved in accidents related with the use of products specifically designed for them. These accidents have lead to injuries and sometimes even death.

Instead of making the assumption that a product available for purchase is safe to buy and to use, consumers should be aware of hazards that can occur when specific products are in use. Consumers and in particular parents of young children who are the most vulnerable to injuries, have the right to be well informed about the potential risks of child-related products when deciding to purchase a product and before using it.

This is the starting point of a project co-ordinated by the European Child Alliance of the European Consumer Safety Association (ECOSA) with the financial support of the European Commission. After selecting 25 child-related products, the association has listed the risks it considers to be associated with those products in order to advise consumers - in particularly parents and caretakers - on their purchase and correct use.

The listing of the 25 products and corresponding risks and advice can be consulted in the Report on Consumer rights for safe children’s products .

The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of ECOSA and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Furthermore, between 2007 and 2008, DG SANCO commissioned an external study to identify child care articles and equipments which can be dangerous. The study assessed an initial set of 20 articles commonly used to bath , feed or clothe newborns and young children, and products that are present at home or in day nursery centers. As there are no European safety standards for these products, or, if a standard exist, it does not cover all possible risks, they can lead to serious accidents , such as falling, suffocation or drowning. The individual fiches of the 20 products are available here .

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