What is the weight-bearing standard for portable baby strollers and how to determine their safety?

With the increasing diversity of parenting travel scenarios, portable baby strollers have become a frequently used parenting tool in many families due to their lightweight, easy to fold, and easy to store characteristics. In its core safety performance, the load-bearing standard and overall safety are directly related to the safety of infants and young children riding, and are also the core basis for industry production, quality inspection, and consumer selection. Currently, a comprehensive system of safety standards for children's strollers has been established both domestically and internationally, providing clear specifications for the load-bearing capacity, structure, materials, and protection of portable products, and offering professional guidance for industry development and consumer choices.
1、 The official load-bearing standard for portable baby strollers
Portable baby strollers belong to the category of child strollers and must strictly comply with national and international safety standards, with clear and quantifiable load-bearing indicators.
1. Chinese National Standard (GB/T 14748-2025)
On October 5, 2025, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration of China released a new version of the "Child Care Products Safety Child Cart" (GB/T 14748-2025), which will be officially implemented on November 1, 2026, fully replacing the old version of the standard. This standard specifies:
The child stroller is suitable for two types of infants and young children with a single weight of 15kg or less and 15kg or more to 22kg, covering the mainstream age range of 0-36 months.
The maximum rated load capacity of portable (lightweight folding) carts is ≥ 22kg, which is the industry's basic compliance threshold.
Newly added integrated rear standing board model, with a maximum load-bearing capacity of 20kg for the standing board and clear load-bearing boundaries for additional functions.
2. International mainstream standards
The EU EN 1888 standard stipulates that the maximum load-bearing capacity of child strollers is ≥ 22kg. Lightweight strollers must pass multiple tests such as static load-bearing and dynamic impact to ensure that the frame, seats, and connectors are not deformed, broken, or loose under rated load-bearing.
The ASTM F833 standard in the United States requires the trolley to have a rated load capacity of ≥ 22kg. At the same time, strict tests are conducted on the folding mechanism, braking system, and anti rollover performance to ensure the stability of use under load-bearing conditions.
In industry practice, the rated load-bearing capacity of regular portable trolley products is often marked as 15kg-22kg, suitable for infants and young children aged 0-3 years old; Some lightweight mini models have a load-bearing capacity of 15kg and are suitable for babies aged 0-18 months. The product must be permanently and clearly labeled with the rated load capacity, applicable age/weight on the body and instructions, and must not be vaguely labeled or promoted beyond the scope.
2、 Safety assessment criteria for portable baby strollers
To determine the safety of a portable baby stroller, a comprehensive evaluation should be conducted from five dimensions: certification qualifications, load-bearing reliability, structural protection, material safety, and functional use, each with clear professional indicators.
1. Essential security certification: compliance basic threshold
China's mandatory 3C certification: Child strollers are products subject to national mandatory certification and cannot be sold or used without 3C certification. When making a purchase, it is necessary to check the 3C logo on the vehicle body. The certificate number can be entered through the National Certification and Accreditation Information Public Service Platform to verify the manufacturer, model, and certificate validity period.
International authoritative certification: Export and high-end products often have EU CE certification (EN 1888), US CPC certification (ASTM F833), and some products are accompanied by third-party testing reports such as SGS and T Ü V to verify chemical and mechanical safety indicators.
Material special certification: High quality product fabrics have passed Oeko Tex Standard 100 infant grade certification, ensuring the absence of harmful substances such as formaldehyde, decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amines, heavy metals, etc; Some products have Greenguard Gold low volatility certification to ensure the air quality inside the car.
2. Load bearing reliability: core safety bottom line
Frame material and strength: The portable trolley is preferably made of aviation grade aluminum alloy and high-strength glass fiber reinforced PP material, with a self weight controlled between 6kg-8kg, balancing lightness and stability. The frame needs to pass a 200kg static load test and 1000 bumps and impacts test without permanent deformation, cracks, or looseness.
Load bearing component technology: The seat, backrest, armrest, and connecting parts are double fixed and seamlessly welded without burrs, virtual welding, or cracks. Folding hinges and shafts need to pass over 50000 fatigue tests and remain stable and effective after long-term use.
Load bearing label matching: In actual use, it is strictly prohibited to exceed the rated load capacity. Do not hang heavy objects or place overweight items to avoid center of gravity deviation causing rollover and frame deformation.
3. Structure and Protection Safety: Comprehensive Risk Prevention
Anti rollover performance: The standard requires the trolley to be placed in the most unfavorable position on a slope of 12 ° -15 ° without tipping over; High quality products with anti rollover angle ≥ 20 °, reasonable center of gravity design, stable implementation and parking.
Restraint system: Must be equipped with three-point or five point seat belts, with the five point system being the preferred choice in the industry. The shoulder strap width is ≥ 20mm, the buckle is firm, the opening and closing are smooth, and it has not failed after 50000 opening and closing tests. When riding, it is necessary to fasten the seat belt to prevent slipping or throwing out.
Folding and anti pinch design: The folding mechanism is equipped with dual/multi-level locks to prevent accidental unlocking. During the folding and unfolding process, the dangerous gap should be ≤ 5mm or ≥ 12mm to avoid finger injuries.
Edges and protrusions: The vehicle body has no sharp edges, burrs, or protrusions, with a rounded radius of ≥ 3mm to prevent scratches and bumps.
Braking system: equipped with rear foot dual braking and front wheel universal lock dual braking, with a braking rate of ≥ 90%. The slope parking test is stable, with no slipping or sliding phenomenon.
4. Material and Chemical Safety: Core of Health Protection
Fabric safety: The formaldehyde content of seat and sunshade fabrics is ≤ 20mg/kg, and no decomposable carcinogenic aromatic amine dyes have been detected. Equipped with UPF50+sun protection performance, UVA blocking rate ≥ 99%, effectively protecting against ultraviolet rays.
Component material: Plastic and metal components with lead content ≤ 100ppm, phthalates (DEHP, etc.) ≤ 0.1%, in compliance with REACH and CPSIA regulations. No odor or irritating volatile substances.
5. Functional safety: Suitable for daily scenarios
Portability and Folding: Single handed folding/unfolding, with a folded volume of ≤ 0.2m ³, suitable for aviation boarding dimensions (≤ 55 × 40 × 20cm). After folding, there is a locking device to avoid self opening.
Promotion and shock absorption: Smooth promotion, no lagging, and no significant shaking. Front wheel universal, rear wheel directional, equipped with spring/rubber shock absorbers, tested on bumpy roads to reduce vibration transmission.
Detail design: The sunshade is adjustable, detachable, and equipped with a breathable sunroof. The storage basket has a reasonable load-bearing capacity (≤ 3kg) and does not affect the center of gravity of the cart.
3、 Industry standards and consumer tips
Currently, the portable baby stroller industry is developing towards standardization, lightweighting, and safety. After the implementation of the new national standard (GB/T 14748-2025), the industry's entry threshold will be further raised, and low-quality and non compliant products will be eliminated.
For consumers, when making a purchase, they should prioritize certification, focus on load bearing, carefully inspect structural protection, and reject low-priced products without 3C certification, clear load bearing markings, and rough craftsmanship. Before use, carefully read the instruction manual, strictly use according to the rated load capacity and applicable age, regularly check the frame, seat belt, brake and other components, and stop maintenance immediately if any looseness or damage is found.
The safety of portable baby strollers is no small matter, and the load-bearing standards and safety indicators are the core bottom line of the product. Industry enterprises need to strictly follow national and international standards and strengthen quality control; Consumers should establish a scientific purchasing awareness, based on compliance certification and professional indicators, in order to effectively ensure the safety of infants and young children's travel and promote the healthy and orderly development of the industry.