January 2026: Major Standards Updates for Domestic Equipment, Toys, and Appliances

The first month of 2026 brings pivotal advancements in standards for domestic and commercial equipment, toys, and household appliances. With five newly published standards, this January sees broad updates that affect manufacturers, regulators, quality managers, and procurement teams. The releases—ranging from precise furniture measurement methods to advanced safety requirements for toys and digital performance evaluation systems for household appliances—signal a renewed focus on safety, measurement accuracy, and compliance. These new standards help industry professionals ensure product quality, align with the latest international benchmarks, and meet regulatory expectations in a dynamic marketplace.

Overview / Introduction

The domestic and commercial equipment, entertainment, and sports industry is witnessing continuous evolution as new technologies, consumer expectations, and regulatory demands emerge. International standards play a vital role in ensuring product safety, reliable performance, and interoperability for furniture, toys, and household appliances. The latest publications for January 2026 address critical updates in measurement precision, mechanical safety, and digital assessment methodologies.

Whether you're a quality manager, compliance officer, engineer, or procurement specialist, understanding these changes is essential for maintaining market access and managing risk. This comprehensive overview examines five key standards and offers insights for organizational compliance and technical implementation.

Detailed Standards Coverage

CEN/TS 18231:2026 - Guide to Measuring Furniture Dimensions

Furniture – Guide to Measuring EN 1335-1 Dimensions with ISO 24496 CMD

This standard provides an in-depth guide on accurately measuring office chair dimensions according to EN 1335-1:2020+A1:2022, leveraging the Chair Measurement Device (CMD) defined in ISO 24496:2021. It clears up ambiguities in measurement techniques, delivering additional clarifications and practical examples to reduce misinterpretations among testers.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Offers step-by-step procedures for prepping chairs, utilizing centering guides, and applying the required loading force.
• Outlines measurement sequences for multiple adjustment positions—middle, minimum, and maximum—covering every chair component: lumbar support, seat height, depths, backrests, and armrests.
• Recommends documentation for deviations due to unique product designs, enhancing consistency in reporting.

Who Should Comply:

• Office furniture manufacturers
• Product testing laboratories and certification bodies
• Procurement officials responsible for ergonomic furniture evaluation

Practical Implications:

• Minimizes measurement discrepancies across organizations
• Supports reliable benchmarking in ergonomic office chair development
• Facilitates objective assessment for regulatory or procurement compliance

Key highlights:

• Stepwise guidance enhances precision in repetitive testing
• Addresses unique product designs with deviation documentation practices
• Aligned with EN 1335-1 and ISO 24496 standards for global harmonization

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 18231:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN 71-1:2026 - Safety of Toys: Mechanical and Physical Properties

Safety of Toys – Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties

This extensively revised document defines the required mechanical and physical properties—and associated testing methods—for toys meant for children under 14 years of age. It brings together updated safety benchmarks and more precise product categorization.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Details mechanical and physical safety requirements, with tailored stipulations for different age groups (<18, <36 months, etc.)
• Defines compliance exclusions, including functional products, sports gear above certain sizes, and collector items
• Requires age grading, packaging, warning labels, and safe material use
• Sets specific test protocols: torque, tension, drop, impact, small parts, and durability
• Excludes electrical safety (handled under EN IEC 62115), focusing solely on physical hazards

Who Should Comply:

• Toy manufacturers and importers
• Product designers and testing labs
• Retailers and distributors

Practical Implications:

• Reduces risk of injury, choking, or other hazards in toys
• Clarifies responsibilities for packaging and age labeling
• Empowers authorities and businesses to enforce up-to-date toy safety measures

Key highlights:

• Concrete mechanical and physical safety criteria for age-specific toys
• Comprehensive test methods supporting consistent quality control
• Updated marking/labeling guidelines for enhanced compliance

Access the full standard:View EN 71-1:2026 on iTeh Standards

EN 71-8:2026 - Safety of Toys: Activity Toys for Domestic Use

Safety of Toys – Part 8: Activity Toys for Domestic Use

EN 71-8:2026 focuses on activity toys—swings, slides, climbing frames, and similar equipment intended for residential settings. It also incorporates requirements for modular kits, add-on accessories, and separately sold swing elements so as to encompass a diverse range of play products.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Establishes physical requirements for activity toys, including barriers, handrails, stability, entrapment prevention, and component strength
• Covers separately sold components and construction packages
• Defines test procedures for static and dynamic strength, impact, stability, and entrapment hazards
• Excludes playground equipment for public use (see EN 1176), deep pools, slides for in-ground pools, and trampolines (see EN 71-14)

Who Should Comply:

• Manufacturers and importers of activity toys and accessories
• Safety testing laboratories
• Product certifiers and safety officers

Practical Implications:

• Prioritizes domestic safety—especially in environments with young children
• Delivers clear criteria for installation instructions and product labeling
• Supports product differentiation and market trust through rigorous conformity

Key highlights:

• Robust physical tests for stability, durability, and hazard mitigation
• Comprehensive scope includes modular and component activity toy products
• Detailed installation, maintenance, and warning requirements for end-user safety

Access the full standard:View EN 71-8:2026 on iTeh Standards

IEC 63350:2026 - Digital Systems for Performance Measurement in Household Appliances

Household Electric Appliances – Specification of the Properties of a Digital System for Measuring Performance

This milestone IEC standard defines the generic metrological requirements for digital systems assessing visually detectable performance features in household electric appliances—for example, measuring browning intensity or lightness in cooking products through digital means.

Scope & Key Requirements:

• Standardizes the complete digital measurement chain: instrument, software, and reference materials
• Requires strict environmental controls (illumination, ambient conditions) and calibration protocols
• Mandates the use of standardized color reference profiles (e.g., Fogra 52, ISO 12647-7, -2)
• Expands calibration with new shade references, detailed reporting of image channel data, and periodic verification procedures

Who Should Comply:

• Appliance and digital assessment system manufacturers
• Testing and certification labs
• Product compliance and R&D engineers

Practical Implications:

• Enables reproducible, objective, digital performance testing
• Facilitates supplier and customer alignment on product evaluation criteria
• Advances data-driven product quality assurance in smart and connected appliances

Key highlights:

• Enhanced calibration and color reference protocols for digital measurement
• Robust documentation for input data and system validation
• Harmonized requirements for cross-market comparisons and regulatory compliance

Access the full standard:View IEC 63350:2026 on iTeh Standards

Note: This standard is covered once; duplicate listings are consolidated for clarity.

Industry Impact & Compliance

The adoption of these five new standards delivers tangible advantages for the domestic and commercial equipment, entertainment, and sports sectors. For businesses, these changes mean:

• Improved product safety: Particularly for toys and activity equipment, reducing liability and injury risk.
• Consistent measurement and testing: Especially with digital systems or complex furniture, removing subjectivity from compliance checks.
• Enhanced market access: Aligning with the latest standards supports product acceptance in regulated global markets and during procurement tenders.
• Streamlined compliance: Outlined requirements and updated test procedures make it easier for companies to design, manufacture, and certify products within current legislative frameworks.

Timelines for adoption may depend on regional or national regulatory settings, but early engagement is recommended to mitigate compliance risks. Proactive certification and update of product technical files is advised for all relevant product lines.

Risks of non-compliance include market withdrawal, fines, reputational damage, and civil liability for safety failures. Maintaining conformance protects organizations, stakeholders, and end-users alike.

Technical Insights

Several technical themes connect the newly published standards:

• Rigorous test sequences: Detailed step-by-step procedures for product setup, adjustment, and measurement help prevent inconsistent results.
• Digital and objective methodologies: Greater reliance on calibrated digital tools—such as digital systems for appliance evaluation—enhances repeatability across sites and testers.
• Comprehensive documentation: From reporting deviations in furniture measurement to recording raw image channel data in digital systems, traceability is paramount for product evaluations and audits.
• Harmonization with international references: These standards align with broader international benchmarks (ISO, IEC), easing cross-border certification and trade.
• User-centered design: Safety requirements for toys explicitly recognize child behavior patterns and foreseeable use scenarios, adopting a risk-based approach.

Implementation Best Practices:

1. Train relevant technical and QA personnel on revised procedures and critical test points
2. Update internal test protocols, work instructions, and recordkeeping tools to reflect new standards
3. Arrange periodic calibration and verification of digital systems with certified artifacts
4. Engage third-party laboratories and certification partners early to verify product conformity
5. Communicate updated marking, warning, and user instruction changes to packaging and marketing teams

Conclusion / Next Steps

The January 2026 releases represent a substantial step forward for professionals in the domestic equipment, entertainment, and sports industry. These standards sharpen focus on objective performance measurement, enhanced end-user safety, and streamlined product certification.

Key takeaways:

• New and revised standards offer more granular and reliable requirements, supporting both safety and innovation
• Early adoption and staff training minimize risks and position businesses for compliance and market expansion
• Comprehensive documentation, digital validation, and robust test methods will be key drivers of quality and regulatory acceptance

Recommendations:

• Review which standards are relevant to your product lines and update compliance plans accordingly
• Schedule internal briefings and technical training on new requirements
• Engage with third-party certifiers for timely certification and audits
• Stay informed about additional updates by following reputable standards platforms

Act now: Explore these standards in full and ensure your organization is at the forefront of quality, compliance, and safety in 2026 and beyond.

Looking for additional details or more standards in this category? Visit iTeh Standards for authoritative, up-to-date access to global standards in domestic and commercial equipment, toys, and beyond.