icq news playground...eu - revision of the inflatable toys equipment standard 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6....

EU - Revision of the INFLATABLE TOYS EQUIPMENT STANDARD

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

TOPICS

PAHs - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

JUNE 2012


FITNESS IN THE GREEN AREAS

ITALY - INFLATABLE PLAY EQUIPMENT: MANDATORY FIRE RESISTANCE CERTIFICATION IN ITALY

CLARIFICATION:

EU - REVISION OF STANDARDS EN 1176-n

EU - CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INTENDED FOR PUBLIC USE


JUNE 2012

In recent years, in northern Europe there has been the development of a concept of FITNESS not only in the sport area but also integrated in the social sphere, developing new ways of using this discipline. The fitness activities can be practiced in gyms or outdoors. In the North Countries numerous green areas have arisen and they include the use of fitness equipment; this equipment allow adults accompanying their children to stay engaged, while children play in their equipped area. These new types of equipment are destined to spread also in our country. All these aspects have implication from the normative point of view, because these areas are to all intents and purposes integrated into playgrounds and are accessible for children. We need precise rules governing the construction of these fitness areas so that they must be safe especially for children and at the same time even for adults during the sport activity. Some specific rules have been designed in Europe to manage and control these problems and these are applied to these specific areas. The ICQ Group has the ability to provide legal support from the normative point of view for the construction of these areas and to provide for testing the compliance of these areas. Our Institute is also specialized and recognized especially in the fields of toys, playgrounds, childcare and children’s furniture. It holds a leadership position in areas that are inevitably linked to the safety of children and consequently to one of the most sensitive and fragile sector in terms of safety and regulation, such as the outdoors fitness sector that can also have access for children.

1. FITNESS IN THE GREEN AREAS

2. EU - REVISION OF STANDARDS EN 1176-n

EN 1176 series standards are under discussion: changes involves, as example, the accessibility requirements for children of different age and, about part 2 (swing) the meaning of connection to the structure for seating for several users. Some technical and rationale documents (to be used in conjunction with the standards) will be available in order to better understand requirements background.


JUNE 2012

Inflatable play equipment and itinerant shows (e.g. circus) - in Italy - falls into field of application of "DM 18 Maggio 2007".

Further clarification (2009 December 1st, 2010 October 15th), closes gaps left from 2007 decree law, especially regarding the fire reaction classification which these equipment belong to.

2011 December 31th, was the deadline in order to get the documentation required from council and provincial committees.

Both EN 14960 (relevant inflatable play equipment standard) and "DM 18 Maggio 2007" state that materials (fabrics) shall be flame retardant without specifying any requirements: 2010 October 15th clarification states that these equipment have to be accompanied by a CLASS 2 FIRE RESISTANCE CERTIFICATION.

Certification should be released from a "Ministero dell'Interno" authorized laboratory only, like IISG.

IISG is also at you disposal for test according to EN 14960.

4. EU - Revision of the INFLATABLE TOYS EQUIPMENT STANDARD

EN 14960:2006 is currently under review by CEN / TC 136 "Sports, playgrounds and other recreational facilities and equipment”. It defines the safety requirements for the inflatable play equipment.

Compared to the standard that is currently in force, the new draft revision project includes elements such as: a) clarification regarding the safety requirements of the run out section of the slides; b) changes of the interpretation of the entrapment following the guidelines given by the EN 1176 -1 : 2008 standard.

3. ITALY - INFLATABLE PLAY EQUIPMENT: MANDATORY FIRE RESISTANCE CERTIFICATION IN ITALY


JUNE 2012

5. CLARIFICATION:

EU - CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT INTENDED FOR PUBLIC USE

With the entry into force of the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) it is now clearly defined that products such as playground equipment and inflatables are included in the definition of TOYS, even if the requirements of the directive does not apply to these products. This clarification states unequivocally that these products shall comply with the other requirements applicable to toys such as, for example, restrictions on the content of certain phthalates and restriction on the presence of benzene (Annex XVII of REACH). In addition to the restrictions specifically applicable to toys, these products are also subject to any other restrictions applicable to products placed on the market, such as the content of cadmium in plastics and paints, lead content in paint (Annex XVII of REACH).

PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are a group of organic chemicals whose presence in consumer products is currently under examination at the European level.

In fact, since some PAHs are classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction chemicals), their presence in consumer products is being investigated to verify in which terms (at which levels) they may constitute a risk to human health.

The analysis covers every consumer product, with particular attention to products intended for children.

The presence of these substances might result from use, during the manufacturing process, of extender oils and pigments containing impurities, which may be used in manufacturing of plastics and rubbers.

The identification of materials in which PAHs may be present is still under investigation.

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6. PAHs - Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

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