Baby dummies and dummy chains

The mandatory standard applies to dummies designed specifically for babies and dummy chains and similar products intended to attach a baby’s dummy to his/her clothing.

About the standard

The mandatory standard prescribes requirements for the design, construction and safety labeling of babies dummies and dummy chains and addresses hazards associated with unsafe decorations.

Mandatory standard

The Consumer Goods (Babies’ Dummies and Dummy Chains) Safety Standard 2017 sets out the mandatory requirements for babies’ dummies and dummy chains.

The mandatory standard requirements for babies’ dummies are based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian Standard AS 2432:2015 Standard for Babies’ Dummies and the voluntary European Standard EN 1400:2013+A1:2014 - Child use and care article – Soothers for babies and young children – Safety requirements and test method.

The mandatory standard requirements for dummy chains are based on certain sections of the voluntary European Standard EN 12586:2007+A1:2011 - Child use and care article – Soother holder – Safety requirements and test method.

Key requirements

These requirements provide an overview of the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.

Requirements for babies’ dummies

The safety standard requires babies’ dummies to meet certain requirements of either the Australian standard or the European soother standard that relate to:

  • integrity of the shield
  • ring
  • handle and plug
  • teat strength
  • decorations
  • packaging
  • product identification
  • warning label
  • instructions.

Design and construction requirements

All components must be free from any sharp edges that could cause injury.

The shield of the dummy must be of a minimum size so it does not fit fully inside the baby’s mouth.

The shield must have two or more ventilation holes of a specific size and in certain positions to allow the baby to breathe in case the dummy becomes lodged in the mouth.

The teat must be smooth and not allow fluid to leak inside or fill the teat as bacteria can grow and potentially cause infection.

The ring or handle must be secure and not detach from the shield or come apart so as not to become a choking hazard.

The ring or handle must be able to be gripped to allow easy removal of the dummy by an adult carer in case it becomes lodged in the baby’s mouth.

Testing

Certain testing must be performed. The tensile and shield tests ensure the dummy meets requirements for strength, durability and size.

When tested in accordance with prescribed tests, no part of a dummy should become detached, torn, fractured or broken.

Safety labelling

A warning notice must be provided with a dummy. The warning notice can be provided on the packaging or in a leaflet supplied with the dummy.

Packaging

Dummies must be sold in a clean condition, in a sealed pack and include instructions for use and hygienic care of the dummy.

Decorations

Dummies must not have any printing on the sucking side of the shield or any adhesive decals attached to any part of the dummy.

Decorations must not become detached during conditioning or testing of the dummy as these can become a choking, inhalation or ingestion hazard.

Requirements for dummy chains

Baby dummy chains are required to meet certain requirements of the European soother holder standard for length, impact resistance, durability and tensile strength:

  • A dummy chain must have a maximum length of 220 mm so as not to become a strangulation hazard.
  • No part of the dummy chain should break, tear or separate when subjected to impact resistance and tensile strength tests so as not to become a choking hazard.
  • The garment fastener must not break, tear or separate during testing which involves the repeated opening and closing of the jaws of the fastener, which attaches the dummy chain to the baby’s clothing.
  • Adhesive decals and labels must not be attached to the dummy chain, as these can become a choking, inhalation or ingestion hazard.

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