Safety first: the safety of Croozer’s passengers is our top priority. Through rigorous routine testing against the relevant criteria, we ensure that all Croozer products are safe and reliable. In this context, Croozer not only satisfies all legal requirements and standards, but also sets its own voluntary standards that go above and beyond basic compliance.
The following is an overview of all of the requirements that are met by our products.
The Croozer Kid’s plastic windows and integrated rain cover offer a UV protection factor (UPF) of 80.
The European standard DIN EN 15918 specifies safety requirements and test methods (e.g. the hitch arm test) for bicycle trailers.
The European standard DIN EN 1888 specifies safety requirements and test methods (e.g. the ramp test) for wheeled child conveyances, including strollers.
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 is the European Community regulation on the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemical substances in materials.
Sunny weather is perfect for fun family outings. However, the sun’s UV rays can quickly damage children’s skin. To ensure that your children are well-protected in the Croozer, the plastic windows of all 2018 and newer Croozer Kid models offer a particularly high level of UV protection. The__ Hohenstein Test Institute__ has confirmed that the plastic windows and integrated rain cover offer a UV protection factor (UPF) of 80!
Like a thick pullover, the textile body itself also offers excellent UV protection (UPF 50+) through its fabric density and coating – the same applies to our Sun Cover.
We have our products tested in accordance with the following European standards:
DIN EN 15918
This European standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for bicycle trailers and their connecting devices.
In the context of this standard, various tests are performed that verify compliance with a number of criteria, including the safety of passengers in the event of tipping/overturning or the ease with which the trailer can be hitched and unhitched:
DIN EN 1888
This European standard specifies the safety requirements and test methods for wheeled child conveyances designed for the carriage of one or more children.
In this context various tests are performed that verify compliance with a number of criteria, such as durability – also for buggies and strollers:
Our Croozer bicycle trailers are built from several different individual parts and materials. To give these materials their attractive colours and the qualities they need for standing up to the conditions of an active family routine (UV protection, weather resistance, water repellence), they have to be treated and coated – sometimes with chemical substances.
We are extremely cautious when it comes to the use of substances like these. In compliance with the REACH Regulation, we have our materials tested by independent testing institutes and can confirm that none of our products contain any substances that appear in the so-called SVHC candidate list as per Art. 33 (2) of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (“REACH”) in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight.
It goes without saying that our products comply with all relevant standards and regulations. In our opinion, however, these requirements are not stringent enough to guarantee optimal safety for you and your children. Therefore, we set our own, even higher standards and have defined special Croozer requirements based on the current textile and clothing standards for babies and young children.
This is how we ensure that the limits for chemical compounds that are hazardous to health, such as azo dyes, allergenic dyes, formaldehyde, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phthalates, are even more stringent and will be strictly observed at all times. We also test our products for resistance (colour fastness) to saliva and sweat in accordance with DIN 53160 Parts 1 and 2 and the Technical Rule BVL B 82.02-13, as well as for nickel release, biocides and flame retardants, which are not used in our products.
Croozer products are not labelled with the CE mark. Why not? The answer is pretty simple: there is no relevant EU directive for bicycle trailers.
In order to enable the free movement of goods and services within the European Community, EU “directives” define essential requirements that certain products must meet throughout Europe. There is a Machinery Directive, a Pressure Equipment Directive, a Toy Directive and a Medical Device Directive, just to name a few. Products that are subject to an EU directive must bear a CE mark to confirm that the product complies with the requirements imposed by the European Union.
For some products, including bicycle trailers, no relevant EU directives exist. Accordingly, these products have no CE mark and are not even allowed to be labelled with one. Nevertheless, all German products are subject to the German Product Safety Act based on the European Directive 2001/95/EC.
Below, you can find more detailed information on the aforementioned tests.
The following chemical tests are required by the standard EN 15918:
The trailer is loaded to 125% of the rated load capacity and placed on a drum test rig. Wedge-shaped obstacles are attached to the surface of the drum. When the drum rotates, the trailer is forced to ride over the obstacles at a speed of 12.5 km/h (7.8 mph).
After a predetermined number of cycles, both the frame and the chassis must be free of damage.
The axle sockets of the trailer are secured. Subsequently, the hitch arm is loaded horizontally with a force equivalent to 450% of the rated load capacity.
After a pre-determined number of cycles, both the hitch arm and the connection between the hitch arm and trailer must be free of structural damage.
The lower frame of the trailer is secured. Then the upper frame structure is loaded with a force equivalent to 150% of the rated load capacity at an angle of 45°.
After the test, the passenger compartment must be free of any significant deformation.
Croozer’s Superbar provides additional protection for passengers in the event of a side impact or rear-end collision.
The lower frame of the trailer is secured. A crash-test dummy is placed on each seat and strapped in. Subsequently, each dummy is subjected to a horizontal force of 1000N.
After the test, the harnesses must be free of any sign of damage.
The trailer is placed on a ramp whose lower end is blocked by a steel panel. The trailer is loaded with crash-test dummies of a predetermined weight. Subsequently, the trailer is released and allowed to roll down the ramp and crash into the steel panel.
After the test, the trailer must be free of all visible damage. All locking mechanisms and fasteners must be in perfect working order.
The handlebar of the trailer is attached to a testing device. The trailer is loaded with crash-test dummies of a predetermined weight. Then a vertical force is applied to the handlebar to lift and lower it repeatedly so that the rear and front wheels are lifted and lowered in turn.
After a predetermined number of cycles the handlebar, along with other parts of the trailer, must be free of structural damage.
Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (“REACH”) is the European Community regulation on the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals. It covers the use of chemical substances in preparations and articles. One objective of REACH is to ensure the traceability of chemical substances throughout the entire supply chain, from their manufacture to their end use. Under the REACH Regulation, our company is considered a so-called “downstream user” because we neither manufacture nor import chemical substances. Accordingly, we are not subject to the registration requirements imposed by REACH and are not obligated to issue safety data sheets. However, in order to protect the supply chain and ensure maximum product safety, we verify that our suppliers are implementing all relevant REACH requirements. Companies must demonstrate their compliance with REACH in order to become a Croozer supplier. In addition, we have our materials tested by independent testing institutes and can confirm that none of our products currently contain any substances that appear in the so-called SVHC candidate list as per Art. 33 (2) of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 (“REACH”) in a concentration above 0.1% weight by weight.
