Baby Cot Safety Standards Explained: EN 716, AS/NZS 2172, ASTM F1169 and SABER

Buyers sourcing baby cots internationally often ask which safety standard is the strictest, or whether a cot certified to one standard automatically qualifies in another market. The short answer: no. Each standard reflects the regulatory priorities of its region, and the test protocols differ in ways that matter to both factories and importers.

This article compares the four standards that cover the largest baby cot export markets from China.

EN 716 — European Standard for Baby Cots

EN 716 is a two-part standard published by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN):

• EN 716-1: Safety requirements — structural integrity, slat spacing, mattress base, folding mechanisms, and side rail height.
• EN 716-2: Test methods — drop tests, static load tests, and dimensional checks.

Key requirements

• Slat spacing: 45 mm minimum, 65 mm maximum (prevents head and limb entrapment)
• Internal cot length: ≥ 120 cm; internal width: ≥ 60 cm
• Side rail height when raised: ≥ 60 cm above the lowest mattress position
• No protrusions, sharp edges, or accessible screws; all surface coatings must be non-toxic

Applicable markets: All EU member states, UK (via UKCA post-Brexit), and most European markets that follow CE marking requirements. EN 716 is mandatory for cots placed on the EU market. Products must pass third-party testing at an accredited lab and carry a CE mark.

AS/NZS 2172 — Australian and New Zealand Standard

AS/NZS 2172 is published jointly by Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand. It is referenced in the mandatory safety standard for cots under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL), meaning non-compliant cots cannot legally be sold in Australia or New Zealand.

Key requirements

• Slat spacing: 50 mm minimum, 85 mm maximum
• Internal dimensions: ≥ 1,295 mm (length) × ≥ 690 mm (width) — slightly larger than EN 716 minimums
• Side rail height: ≥ 500 mm above the highest mattress support position
• Mattress must fit snugly: maximum gap between mattress and cot side of 25 mm
• No cutouts in headboard or footboard that could trap a child’s head or limbs

How it differs from EN 716: The Australian standard uses wider allowable slat spacing than EN 716 and specifies different internal dimension minimums. A cot designed to meet EN 716 dimensions does not automatically satisfy AS/NZS 2172, and vice versa. Separate testing and documentation are required.

ASTM F1169 — US Standard for Full-Size Baby Cribs

In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) mandates compliance with ASTM F1169 for full-size cribs. This became a federal regulation in 2011 following recalls related to drop-side cribs.

Key requirements

• Drop-side cribs are banned — only fixed-side designs are permitted
• Slat spacing: ≤ 2⅜ inches (60.3 mm)
• Internal cot length: ≥ 50½ inches (128.3 cm); internal width: ≥ 26⅜ inches (67 cm)
• Mattress support must withstand 60 lbs (27.2 kg) static load without deformation
• Corner posts must not protrude more than 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) above the end panel
• Products must bear a label stating the applicable standard and manufacturer’s name and address

How it differs from EN 716 and AS/NZS 2172: ASTM F1169 explicitly bans drop-side mechanisms. The internal dimension requirements are also larger than EN 716 minimums, so factories producing for the US market typically use a longer cot body.

SABER — Saudi Arabia Conformity Assessment

SABER is not a product standard but a conformity assessment scheme administered by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO). Baby cots exported to Saudi Arabia must be registered through the SABER platform before shipment.

What SABER requires for baby cots

• Product registration and a valid Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC) issued by a SASO-approved certification body
• Each shipment requires a Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
• The underlying technical standard referenced is typically SASO ISO 7175 or equivalent EN standards adopted by GCC

Practical implication for exporters: SABER registration must be completed before goods leave the factory. Shipments without a valid SCoC can be detained at Saudi customs. The process involves engaging an approved certification body, submitting test reports, and uploading product documentation to the SABER portal.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Do You Need Separate Testing for Each Market?

Yes. There is no mutual recognition agreement between these standards. A cot tested to EN 716 still requires separate AS/NZS 2172 testing for Australia, and separate ASTM F1169 testing for the USA. However, some test fixtures and procedures overlap. An experienced export factory typically:

• Designs the product to meet the most restrictive dimensional requirements across all target markets
• Uses one accredited test lab that can run multiple standard protocols in a single submission
• Maintains a documentation file (technical file or Declaration of Conformity) for each market

This approach reduces duplicate tooling while keeping each market’s certification current.

Last updated: May 2026. Standards are revised periodically; always verify the current edition with your certification body before production.