ENPC members make a large investment in designing and creating safe products under the requirements of European regulations and standards. Their products are extensively tested to identify any potential risk, and childcare product manufacturers ensure the safety of their products for the average duration of their use.
Due to the current economic difficulties, the childcare articles’ second hand market is developing more and more as a result of private online sales and second hand shops. The childcare products second hand market can be estimated at around 20% of the total childcare products market, and the trade is affecting the “big” childcare articles (pushchairs, beds, and car seats) more than the “small” ones (baby bottles, sterilizers, and bath rings).
The ENPC emphasises to consumers that buying a product in the second hand market or from another consumer might be risky for the child. Second hand nursery products may not be covered by any specific legislation, and there is no guarantee that the product still meets the safety requirements of a new one tested by the manufacturer before being placed on the market. It is possible that the product has exceeded its life cycle which can prove dangerous and detrimental to the safety of children.
The second hand product may no longer be compliant with the latest safety standards and is unlikely to meet minimum hygiene conditions. Moreover, it is not possible to be aware if a second hand product has been subjected to an accident which could compromise its level of protection (car seat) or its stability (changing table).
The protection and safety of our children is the indisputable goal for our member manufacturers, consumer organisations and authorities, and ENPC considers that raising awareness of the principal risks falls under our responsibilities. The following points are those the consumer should verify and/or consider before buying a second hand product:
- The product may not meet the latest safety standard as its first purchase date is unknown
- There is no guarantee of how the product has been used by the previous owner
- The instructions of use, warnings and the safety precaution information are not always included
- The assembly conditions are unidentified
- The manufacturer may no longer sell replacement parts for the product