Baby nests

Product definition

This factsheet applies to baby nests. Baby nests are comprised of bolstered edges or sides positioned around a mattress area to offer a cushioned sleeping area for the baby.

NB: For this product category, EU law does not foresee mandatory certification.

Common risks of baby nests

This is a list of examples of common risks. However, before placing a product on the market, the manufacturer has to carry out an assessment of the product that covers all relevant risks that may be associated with it and actions taken to mitigate these where possible. A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management. 

1. Mechanical/physical risks:

• Small parts can cause choking in children under the age of 36 months.
• Long cords can cause strangulation if they exceed the permitted length.
• Sharp edges and points can cause cuts, bruising and other injuries.

2. Chemical risks:

• Dangerous chemicals can cause short- and long- term adverse health effects if they exceed allowed limits.

3. Thermal risks:

• Flammable materials can ignite quickly leading to burns.

4. Hygiene risks:

• Microbiological or other contamination of materials from which the product is made can cause irritation and infections.

A general definition of risk and its relationship to hazards can be found in the factsheet on Risk management. 

Examples of dangerous products

Specific examples of measures taken against dangerous baby nests offered for sale in the European Union are available on the Safety Gate website. Type ‘baby nests’ into the free text search box (but without the quotation marks) and select the ‘Childcare articles and children’s equipment’ Product Category to view notified examples. A better understanding of mistakes made in the safety assessment of the baby nest, or its manufacture can help avoid their repetition.

Main applicable legislation

Please note that every product must be safe for consumers, according to the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) of the EU. This is the applicable law covering baby nests:

A ‘safe product’ shall mean –any product which, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, does not present any risk or only the minimum risks compatible with the product’s use, considered to be acceptable and consistent with a high level of protection for the safety and health of persons

It is important to take into account the following points in particular:

(a) the characteristics of the product, including its design, technical features, composition, packaging, instructions for assembly and, where applicable, for installation, use and maintenance;
(b) the effect on other products, where it is reasonably foreseeable that the product will be used with other products, including the interconnection of those products;
(c) the effect that other products might have on the product to be assessed, where it is reasonably foreseeable that other products will be used with that product, including the effect of non-embedded items that are meant to determine, change or complete the way the product to be assessed works, which has to be taken into consideration when assessing the safety of the product to be assessed;
(d) the presentation of the product, the labelling, including the labelling regarding age suitability for children, any warnings and instructions for its safe use and disposal, and any other indication or information regarding the product;
(e) the categories of consumers using the product, in particular by assessing the risk for vulnerable consumers such as children, older people and persons with disabilities, as well as the impact of gender differences on health and safety;
(f) the appearance of the product where it is likely to lead consumers to use the product in a way different to what it was designed for, and in particular:

     (i) where a product, although not foodstuff, resembles foodstuff and is likely to be confused with foodstuff due to its form, odour, colour, appearance, packaging, labelling, volume, size or other characteristics and might therefore be placed in the mouth, sucked or ingested by consumers, especially by children;

     (ii) where a product, although neither designed nor intended for use by children, is likely to be used by children or resembles an object commonly recognised as appealing to or intended for use by children because of its design, packaging or characteristics;

(g) when required by the nature of the product, the appropriate cybersecurity features necessary to protect the product against external influences, including malicious third parties, where such an influence might have an impact on the safety of the product, including the possible loss of interconnection;
(h) when required by the nature of the product, the evolving, learning and predictive functionalities of the product.