New CEN European Standard for Chemical Hazards in Childcare Articles
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / January 14, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 193.25, reporting on the European Committee for Standardization’s (CEN) December 2025 publication of a new voluntary standard, EN17826, which provides safety requirements for chemicals used in childcare articles.
Existing legislation, including the Regulation on General Product Safety, the REACH Regulation, the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Regulation and the Toy Safety Directive (TSD), provides a framework for protection against chemical hazards. However, EN17826 addresses a gap in detailed chemical requirements and serves as a structured reference for future revisions of sector-specific vertical childcare articles standards.
EN17826 provides information on test methods and requirements that limit the following substances:
- Migration limits for certain elements, as listed in the TSD
- Flame retardants not yet listed in the REACH or POP regulations. The restriction applies even when these substances are used for other purposes
- Aniline, with a limit aligned with the TSD
- Allergenic fragrances, consistent with the TSD
- Formaldehyde: the limit in REACH Annex XVII (entry 72) has been reduced from 75 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg, matching the TSD
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs): several substances and limits adopted from AFPS GS 2019-01-PAK for the German GS certification scheme
- Formamide: restriction for large foam components, based on the TSD
All childcare articles covered by CEN Technical Committee 252 are included within the scope of the new standard.
SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 193.25 includes further information about the existing legislation related to EN17826, as well as the scope of the new standard.
Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 193.25 for more details.
SGS toy and juvenile product services
SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the market. After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s toy and juvenile product services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full CEN publishes EN17826 to address chemical hazards in childcare articles SafeGuardS.
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For further information, contact:
Catherine Follin-Arbelet
Global Expert, Juvenile Products
Tel: +33 (0)6 2850 2588
Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: +852 2774 7420
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products
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