The action protocols developed so far will facilitate risk assessment in children’s products that are not covered by specific safety regulations

Ibi, Alicante -- (SBWire) -- 03/15/2012 --This R & D project, "Risk Assessment of non-standardised children’s products - CHILDRISK" allowed the development of a methodology for a global risk assessment of certain children's products for which there are no safety standards at European level. After the market research conducted within the framework of this project, we detected the normal marketing of over 75 products, intended for children or with a more than reasonable use by children, which were not standardised and could pose safety and health risks for babies and toddlers. The products studied were classified into ten categories, depending on the use of the article.

Within each category, a selection of products was carried out in order to develop specific procedures for risk assessment. Eight products were finally selected, most of which form a part of the articles called "basic necessities" (relating to bathing, sleeping, seating, feeding, hygiene and transport), i.e., essential everyday items for the care of babies and toddlers in developed countries and, therefore, widely marketed.

As a result of the project, eight specific technical procedures by type of product have been obtained, which allow us to assess the risks inherent to the nature of the article in question, taking into account the intended use or reasonably foreseeable use of the product, the development and behaviour of children and carers in relation to hazards or environmental circumstances, among other factors.

Product: Main hazards
Bath seats: Drowning
Baths: Drowning and Falling
Sleeping bags: Asphyxia (inside the bag) and Choking (small parts)
Child chair-mounted chairs: Falling
Fruit/food baby feeders: Choking and Asphyxia
Nasal aspirators: Choking and Asphyxia
Platforms for pushchairs: Falling
Bibs: Strangulation, Choking and Asphyxia

The development of this project aims to fill, as far as possible, the gap with regard to the safety of certain products widely available on the market, for which producers do not have the tools necessary to, on the one hand, ensure that their products have a minimum level of safety and, on the other hand, prove towards the surveillance authorities that they have conducted a thorough risk assessment with satisfactory results, thus complying with the current law.

With a duration of two years (2010-2011), AIJU undertook research and development activities concerning this project thanks to the support and funding of the Institute for Small and Medium Industry of the Generalitat Valenciana (IMPIVA)and co-financed by FEDER funds within the operational programme FEDER in the Valencian Community (2007-2013).

AIJU Technological Centre Specialised in Child Safety
The Toy Research Institute (AIJU) was established in June 1985. Located in Ibi, in Alicante, AIJU is a non-profit association focused on researching, developing and improving the quality and safety of children’s products. Accredited for toys since 1989, the laboratory is currently increasing its accreditations; being the first laboratory accredited by ENAC for the testing of toys, childcare products, playgrounds, play equipment and playground surfacing and materials in contact with food. Besides, AIJU is an Inspection Institution accredited by ENAC for playgrounds.

AIJU a member of several forums and committees of national and international standardisation related to child safety. It is also an EU Notified Body that is authorised to issue EC-type certificates according the Toy Safety Directive.

The centre has well-equipped premises and brings together a multidisciplinary team of 80 technicians, who advise and help companies, doing so from the different departments within AIJU: Product Engineering and Laboratory (child safety, materials, processes, prototype, etc...) Management and Innovation Systems, Educational Research – Product, Training, Information and Management.

One of the main objectives of AIJU is to help the children’s products industry to improve its competitiveness, advising on educational and developmental aspects of children and new needs and social situations related to them, their welfare and the products intended for use by them.

AIJU is the only European centre specialised in all aspects of children’s products, from research of raw materials, product design or safety assessment to pedagogy and child development studies in relation to children's products.