For example, how can you be sure that you are purchasing children's furniture? What defines a sharp corner? Which areas should be rounded? Where should the vents be placed? These are some of the questions that often confuse parents when shopping for kids' furniture. To address these concerns, Sun Shudong, an assistant director at the National Furniture and Indoor Environmental Quality Supervision and Inspection Center, provided detailed answers to help consumers make safer choices.
![My E-Korean Panel Children’s Suite](alt="My E-Korean Panel Children's Suite")
**Question 1: How do I know if the furniture is actually children’s furniture if it's sold alongside adult furniture?**
Expert Answer: If the merchant admits that the furniture is suitable for children, it must meet the national standards for children’s furniture. According to the standard, the product should include usage instructions specifying the age range—such as “3-6 years old,†“3 years and above,†or “7 years and above.†If in doubt, always ask the seller for the manual.
**Question 2: What qualifies as a sharp corner, and where should rounding occur? Is it acceptable for panel furniture to have right-angled edges?**
Expert Answer: Whether it's panel or solid wood furniture, rounding corners is a straightforward process and should not be an issue. If the finish isn't up to par, protective devices can be used as an alternative. The guide does not mention "contact" or "non-contact" positions, but Sun Shudong emphasized that unrounded edges can still pose risks. He explained that even if a bedside table meets the standard for top corners, if it has exposed sharp edges on the bottom, it could still be unsafe.
The standard clearly outlines which parts need rounding, such as specific corners on a bedside table. However, the height of the table from the ground is not specified. In one case, a bedside table with wheels had two sharp corners that were exposed, and according to the standard, this was considered dangerous.
Sun Shudong also mentioned that the radius of the rounded edge should be at least 10mm or the arc length should be no less than 15mm. This level of rounding provides maximum safety for children. Some well-known brands have been found to have inadequate rounding, which compromises child safety.
**Question 3: Do paint types like water-based or paint-free affect the safety of children's furniture?**
Expert Answer: Most panel furniture uses impregnated film, which typically contains no heavy metals. However, it's important to consider the entire product. If the paint doesn’t dry properly, it may cause benzene levels to exceed limits. Also, the decorative paper used in panel furniture can sometimes contain harmful substances. While paint type matters, the most important factor is whether the product as a whole passes safety tests.
**Question 4: Where should ventilation holes be placed, and how many are needed?**
Expert Answer: All children’s furniture, whether solid wood or panel, must have proper ventilation. The national standard requires that if a closed space (like inside a cabinet) exceeds 0.03㎡ and has internal dimensions of 150mm or more, there must be at least one opening of 650mm² or two openings spaced at least 150mm apart. The vents must remain unobstructed, even when the furniture is placed against a wall. It's also required that doors don’t have automatic locks that could trap a child.
**Question 5: Are international standards for children’s furniture better than China’s? Is imported furniture safer?**
Expert Answer: Some guides claim that European standards are more advanced, but according to Sun Shudong, Europe doesn’t have a systematic standard for children’s furniture like China does. In terms of hazardous substance limits, China’s standards are comparable to international ones, and structural safety is even stricter. Some international brands have adjusted their designs to meet Chinese regulations to continue selling in the market.
**Buying Tips:**
When purchasing children’s furniture, check for rounded edges and proper vent placement. The national standard also specifies that gaps in rigid materials deeper than 10mm should be either smaller than 6mm or larger than 12mm. Parents can easily measure this themselves. Pay special attention to protrusions, such as exposed screws or sharp hardware, and request a test report to ensure the product is safe.
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