Noordi Journal · 28 September 2026 · 6 min read
Short answer: EN 1888 is the European safety standard for prams and pushchairs. Part 1 (EN 1888-1:2018) covers prams and pushchairs for children up to 15 kg, and Part 2 (EN 1888-2:2018) covers pushchairs for children above 15 kg up to 22 kg. It describes how brakes, folding locks, harnesses, stability and durability are tested. It is a sound safety baseline – but it does not measure comfort, or how a pram feels on a forest path.
You will see “EN 1888” on almost every pram box, spec sheet and product page in Europe. It sounds technical, and it is. But behind the code sits a simple idea: a pram should not tip, fold, pinch or roll away when a child is inside it. Here is what the standard covers, what it leaves out, and how to read it when you are choosing.
What is EN 1888, and who writes it?
EN 1888 is a European standard published by CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, under the title Child care articles – Wheeled child conveyances. National standards bodies publish the same text with their own prefix: BS EN 1888 in the UK, DIN EN 1888 in Germany, ČSN EN 1888 in Czechia.
The current edition dates from 2018 and is split into parts. In 2022 an amendment (A1:2022) clarified wording on locking mechanisms, chemical requirements and testing on irregular surfaces. A separate Part 3, for sport and jogging pushchairs, followed in 2024.
| Part | What it covers | Child weight |
|---|---|---|
| EN 1888-1:2018 (+A1:2022) | Prams and pushchairs | Up to 15 kg per child |
| EN 1888-2:2018 (+A1:2022) | Pushchairs for older, heavier children | Above 15 kg up to 22 kg |
| EN 1888-3:2024 | Pushchairs intended for jogging and sport | Its own set of requirements |
What does EN 1888 actually test?
The full standard is long, but test labs describe its main areas plainly. In short, it looks at anything that could pinch, tip, fold, slip or wear out while a child is inside – using weights that simulate a child, which Intertek describes as ranging from 9 to 15 kg for Part 1.
| Area | What is checked | What it means on your walk |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes (parking device) | The brake must hold the pram still; labs activate parking and locking devices repeatedly (Intertek describes 200 cycles) | The pram stays put while you open a gate or lift your baby out |
| Locking devices | Folding locks must not release by accident, and must keep working after repeated use | The frame stays open and steady while it is in use |
| Stability | Loaded pram checked for tipping, including when a child shifts | Fewer wobbles when a toddler leans to look at a dog |
| Restraint system | Harness strength, buckles and attachment points | The harness holds when it matters |
| Durability | A rolling-road test over obstacles – Intertek describes 72,000 obstacles at 5 km/h | Years of kerbs, cobbles and gravel |
| Entrapment and small parts | Gaps checked with probes from finger to head and hip size; choking hazards | Small fingers and heads cannot get caught |
| Chemicals, cords, labels | Migration of elements (EN 71-3), cords and loops, warnings and age/load labels | Safer surfaces and clear limits in the manual |
What doesn’t EN 1888 tell you?
A standard sets minimum safety requirements. It does not rank comfort, suspension, how warm a carrycot stays on a February morning or how easy a pram is to fold with one hand. Two prams that both meet EN 1888 can feel very different on a gravel track.
Those are the things you judge yourself – ideally on the routes you actually walk:
- How the ride feels on your pavements, parks or forest paths.
- The weight you will lift into the car or up the stairs.
- Lying space and airflow for the newborn months.
- How the fold works in your hallway and your boot.
Our calm 10-point pram checklist walks through these, and the Noordi comparison page puts the numbers side by side.
How can you check that a pram meets EN 1888?
- Look for the part and the year. The product page, label or manual should name it – for example EN 1888-1:2018 or EN 1888-2:2018. A bare “EN 1888” is common, but the year tells you which edition.
- Match it to your child. Check the weight and age limits in the manual, and whether the seat must be fully reclined for newborns.
- Ask who tested it. It is reasonable to ask a brand which lab tested the pram. A calm, clear answer is a good sign.
- Keep the manual. The standard requires warnings and instructions for a reason; they hold the limits that keep the pram within its tested use.
European standards are, strictly speaking, voluntary. In practice, EN 1888 is the common benchmark that manufacturers, retailers and test labs use to show a pram is safe to sell in Europe.
Safety is quiet work. You notice it most when nothing happens.
Where Noordi fits: testing in Kaunas
Fjordi V.2 and Aqua V.2 are made in our own factory in Kaunas, Lithuania. Frame tubes are bent, fabrics sewn and prams assembled under one roof, and prams go through vibration and wheel tests before they leave. You can see the whole process in where Noordi prams are made.
Noordi Fjordi V.2 · Aqua V.2 · Sia
Each product page names the standard it is tested to: Fjordi V.2 EN 1888:2018, Aqua V.2 EN 1888, Sia EN 1888-2:2018. Every Fjordi V.2 aluminium frame is checked with an AI scanning tool for wall thickness and welding imperfections, and its ONE-CLICK™ brake locks both rear wheels with one press – one small movement before you step away to open a gate.
Which everyday habits matter as much as the standard?
A tested pram is a good start. The rest happens on your walk:
- Put the brake on every time you stop, even on flat ground.
- After unfolding, check that every lock has clicked into place before your baby goes in.
- Use the five-point harness on every trip, however short.
- Hang nothing heavy on the handlebar – use the basket and respect its load limit (on Sia, up to 2 kg).
- Keep wheels, brakes and locks clean and check them now and then – our guide to caring for your pram shows how.
Frequently asked questions
Is EN 1888 a legal requirement?
European standards are voluntary, but EN 1888 is the recognised benchmark that manufacturers use to show a pram or pushchair is safe under European product-safety rules. It is worth looking for on any pram you buy.
What is the difference between EN 1888-1 and EN 1888-2?
Part 1 covers prams and pushchairs for children up to 15 kg. Part 2 covers pushchairs for children above 15 kg up to 22 kg.
Does EN 1888 cover car seats?
No. Car seats are approved under a separate UN regulation, R129 (i-Size). Our guide to i-Size car seats explains it.
Is there a standard for jogging pushchairs?
Yes. EN 1888-3:2024 covers pushchairs intended for jogging and sport. A pram tested to Parts 1 or 2 is not automatically suitable for running.
Does a pram tested to EN 1888 need less care?
No. Brakes, locks and wheels still need regular checks and cleaning, and the limits in your manual still apply. You can find Noordi manuals on our instruction manuals page.
A standard can’t choose your route or the weather. What it can do is let you stop thinking about the pram, and start noticing the path, the light and the small person looking up at you.
Sources: BSI, SGS, STC, Intertek, TÜV Rheinland, CEN / iTeh (EN 1888-3). Checked September 2026.
Made for the way you wander.
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