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IS 6188:1988 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for specification and safety requirements for high chairs. This standard lays down the requirements for materials, dimensions, construction, and safety performance of high chairs for children. It includes critical tests for stability, structural strength, and the effectiveness of the restraint system to prevent accidents and ensure the child's safety during use.
Specification and safety requirements for high chairs
EN 14988:2017+A1:2020CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Children's high chairs - Requirements and test methods
Both standards specify safety requirements, test methods, and construction criteria for children's high chairs.
ASTM F404-21ASTM International, USA
HighCurrent
Standard Consumer Safety Specification for High Chairs
Both standards establish performance requirements, test methods, and labeling for the safety of high chairs.
AS 4684:2009Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand, Australia/New Zealand
MediumCurrent
High chairs - Safety requirements
Specifies safety requirements for high chairs, serving a similar purpose but is less current than EN and ASTM standards.
BS 5799:1986BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Specification for safety requirements for children's high chairs and multi-purpose high chairs for domestic use
A precursor to the EN standard, its scope and vintage are very similar to IS 6188:1988.
Key Differences
≠The restraint system in IS 6188 requires a waist belt and crotch strap, whereas modern standards like EN 14988 mandate a more secure 5-point harness (including shoulder straps).
≠Modern standards (EN 14988, ASTM F404) have highly specific, probe-based tests for head, neck, limb, and finger entrapment hazards. IS 6188 lacks these detailed geometric tests, relying on general statements about avoiding sharp edges and gaps.
≠EN 14988 includes strict requirements on chemical safety, limiting the migration of heavy metals and presence of phthalates. IS 6188:1988 does not have specific chemical composition or migration limits, only a general requirement for non-toxic finishes.
≠Stability testing in IS 6188 is a simple 15° static tilt test. ASTM F404 includes dynamic tests, such as a rearward tip-over test simulating a child pushing against a table, which is a more realistic failure scenario.
Key Similarities
≈All standards fundamentally define a high chair as an elevated seating product for a single child, typically up to 3 years of age, to eat at table height.
≈All standards mandate stability testing to ensure the high chair does not tip over easily, although the specific methods and forces/angles vary significantly.
≈All standards require a crotch restraint (either a strap or a rigid post) to prevent a child from sliding out from under the tray.
≈All standards specify static load tests for the seat and tray to ensure the chair's structural integrity can withstand the weight of a child and items placed on the tray.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Restraint System Type
Waist belt and crotch strap
5-point harness (waist, crotch, and shoulder straps) is mandatory
EN 14988:2017+A1:2020
Seat Static Load Test
50 kg for 1 minute
A 15 kg test mass is placed on the seat, and multiple forces (e.g., 750 N vertical, 300 N horizontal) are applied
EN 14988:2017+A1:2020
Tray Static Load Test
15 kg at the center for 1 minute
200 N (approx. 20.4 kg) applied vertically on the least favorable position
ASTM F404-21
Static Stability Requirement
Must not overturn when tilted 15° in any direction
Must not tip when specific horizontal and vertical forces are applied to simulate a child leaning (force-based, not angle-based test)
ASTM F404-21
Head/Neck Entrapment Test
Not specified; general requirement for no 'undue gaps'
Mandatory testing with specific 'large head' and 'small head' probes on all accessible openings
EN 14988:2017+A1:2020
Crotch Restraint Design
Crotch strap required
Requires a passive crotch restraint (rigid post) or an active one that is integral to the waist belt
ASTM F404-21
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use