Aims

The IBV has analysed the demands from experts in standardisation of children’s products, and has reviewed the existence, availability and quality of information on European children’s anthropometrics and strength. The analysis of information has focused on 30 European countries, Turkey, Russia and Belarus.
The review carried out has detected over 180 studies on anthropometrics or strength throughout Europe with measurements for children from 0 to 18 years of age.
It has revealed a paucity of studies specifically focusing on parts of the body like hands, feet and the head, which are essential for regulations on aspects of safety (e.g. entrapment, asphyxia). As for functional anthropometrics (sitting position and reach), there are very few studies available and they include few measurements. And as regards measurements of strength, hardly any relevant studies have been carried out concentrating on children.

As a result of the work carried out, we can conclude that IBV is the international centre with the biggest amount of databases with information on European children’s anthropometrics, including approximately 5,000 3D recordings of European children from 3 to 18 years of age. These recordings contain full body scans in different postures and scans of body parts. This knowledge can be accessed by the standardisation committees and industry, and is a differentiating factor in developing safe, ergonomic children’s products.