Children’s learning towers get their own European standard: EN 18122 sets safety requirements and test methods
On 29 September 2026 CEN reported the adoption of EN 18122 for learning towers — platforms on which a child stands at a kitchen worktop or wash basin. The standard was developed by CEN/TC 364 following a proposal from the European consumer organisation ANEC; previously no standard covered these products.
- The standard is titled “High chairs and learning towers – Learning towers – Requirements and test methods” and covers learning towers for domestic use that raise children so that they can carry out tasks at kitchen worktops, wash basins etc. in a standing position. If a learning tower has additional functions or can be converted into other products, other relevant European Standards may apply.
- ANEC raised the issue in 2021: its analysis suggested that the products themselves present fall and entrapment hazards and, when used close to kitchen worktops and in bathrooms, may give children access to other dangers — thermal injuries, lacerations and poisonings. As no standard covered them, ANEC asked CEN to address their safety urgently.
- ANEC took part in the work of CEN/TC 364 “High chairs and learning towers” and in 2023 prepared the first draft of rationales for the draft standard.
- According to the Bulgarian standards body BDS, ratification of EN 18122:2026 was completed on 29 June 2026 (stage 60.55 “Ratification completed”). BDS links the standard to general product safety legislation: Directive 2001/95/EC and Regulation (EU) 2023/988.
Source: CEN-CENELEC — New European standard for learning towers adopted (29.09.2026)