The big HABA pacifier-chain ABC

How HABA pacifier chains are made

The anticipation of a baby is the greatest joy. And it comes with many small and large preparations – among them the question of the baby’s starter equipment. In addition to clothing, a cot and a stroller, pacifiers of course must not be missing. One or more of them are usually always with you – whether the little ones are at home or on the go. If the favorite pacifier has been lost or dropped and become dirty, tears are often inevitable. Simple relief is provided by pacifier chains made of wood or textile that can be attached quickly and securely to the children’s clothing with a clip.

But pacifier chains are not only practical everyday companions and lovely gifts for a birth; they also playfully stimulate the senses of the little ones: the colorful parts made of wood or textile encourage grasping and thus provide first tactile experiences. It is especially exciting for babies to discover the acoustic elements such as bells or rattling plastic rings. In short: pacifier chains are small but versatile all-rounders. Their development and production, however, is much more complicated than it appears at first glance, because many months pass from the designer’s first idea to the finished product that arrives at the little customers’ homes.

But it’s not only the development of a pacifier chain that is a very complex process; the word itself has a lot to it, as our comprehensive pacifier-chain ABC shows:

S like safety tests

C like passing chemical tests

H like high-quality wood and Made in Germany manufacturing

N like standards

U like non-hazardous

L like solvent-free water-based lacquers

L like long-standing experience

E like essential baby equipment

R like carefully selected raw materials

K like child-friendly design

Elike external testing procedures

T like testing, testing, testing

T like textile

E like easy to attach

Idea generation with the little ones

Many creative minds are at work in the HABA design department. Things are drawn, designed, crafted, tested and repeatedly optimized … until the designers, and also the product managers, are satisfied with the designs for the new products. But before that happens, a spark of an idea is needed – and that is different for every designer. 'I get ideas when I play with children or watch how they interact with things, build and stack, knock things over or "repurpose" them. I learn a lot from that – above all, to keep or try to adopt the child’s perspective on things. I then bring that into my designs,' explains Mirka Schröder, who has been working in the HABA design department since 2013. She develops, among other things, products made of wood and textile for the baby/toddler sector.

Extensive testing

On the basis of sketches and construction drawings, first self-made prototypes are created. And even here it’s: test, test, test. 'Pacifier chains, they have it in them,' says Mirka Schröder from years of experience. 'They look so simple: a few little figures and beads strung together, done. Not at all! You wouldn’t believe how many different tests a pacifier chain must pass before it is ready for series production.' Already in the design department the prototypes are tested not only for play value but also for safety, e.g. with template and impact tests. Afterwards the prototypes are thoroughly tested both by the strict in-house quality assurance and by external independent testing institutes. Every HABA product therefore goes through several stages of quality assurance and is constantly optimized.

Premium HABA quality

Wood from FSC® (FSC-C213979) or PEFC (PEFC/04-31-1369) certified forestry

At HABA we have a principle: toys are only as good as their material and workmanship. Therefore we pay attention to high quality when selecting materials. And we continually check their processing – both in-house production and at our suppliers. This also applies, for example, to HABA pacifier chains made of textile, which are developed in-house by us and manufactured by external long-standing partner companies that we have carefully selected. The HABA pacifier chains made of wood are produced exclusively at the company location in Bad Rodach. Wood is one of the most beautiful and natural raw materials there is for us. Therefore wooden products have been an indispensable part of the HABA range since the company was founded more than 85 years ago. The robust beech wood that we use, among other things, for our pacifier chains comes from FSC® (FSC-C213979) or PEFC (PEFC/04-31-1369) certified forestry.

Solvent-free lacquers and stains

With almost all toddler toys, shape and color form an inseparable unit – as is the case with pacifier chains. The high-quality processed wooden elements only get their distinctive appearance through the bright colors and printed, loving motifs. That we use only solvent-free water-based lacquers and stains is a matter of course for us. 'Children at toddler age explore many things with their mouths. Toys get salivated and gnawed. Everything must simply be absolutely safe here,' explains Monja Morgenroth, who is responsible for the quality safety of HABA toys. 'All HABA toddler toys – whether made of wood, plastic, fabric or other materials – go through the strict in-house quality assurance as well as external testing procedures by TÜV Rheinland.'

Safety is a priority

Trust is good, control is better, as the saying goes. We believe: many years of experience are very good, strict controls are essential and safety is paramount. That means HABA products have to endure a lot before they reach customers’ homes: chemical testing procedures, for example, but also template tests and mechanical safety tests.

Template tests

Both the HABA designers and the employees of the in-house quality assurance carry out template tests. This ensures two things: firstly, that the elements of a product are large enough so that children under three years cannot put them in their mouths and possibly swallow them.

Secondly, they check that elements – such as the plastic clip of the pacifier chains – always have a diameter of less than 25 mm, so that there is no risk of suffocation even if they get into the mouth.

Furthermore, the testers naturally ensure that the overall length of the products is chosen so that there is no risk of strangulation. In the case of pacifier chains this means: they are no longer than 22 cm.

Soak test and pull test

Before all tests the so-called soak test is carried out. The wooden toys or pacifier chains made of wood are completely immersed in water a total of 4 times for 4 minutes. In between there is a 10-minute pause. 'Afterwards every graspable part is pulled with a tool applying 10 kg of force for 10 seconds,' explains Monja Morgenroth. 'The standard actually only requires 9 kg for toddler toys and pacifier chains. For us it is an additional safety aspect to add one kilo. After all the tests no small parts that could be swallowed may come loose.'

Impact and drop tests

In the so-called impact test a weight of 1 kg is dropped once onto the toy from a height of 10 cm. When pacifier chains are tested, the same weight is dropped from the same height a total of 5 times. In the drop test pacifier chains – and toys in general – are dropped a total of 5 times from a height of 137 cm. With this, HABA goes beyond the requirement of the European standard, which only prescribes a drop height of 85 cm, and follows the stricter US requirements. Since both the impact and the drop test are always carried out at HABA, the products have to withstand quite a lot.

Testing for saliva and sweat resistance

As a rule, all grasping toys, building blocks and pacifier chains are tested for saliva and sweat resistance at TÜV Rheinland LGA Nuremberg according to DIN 53160. 'Internally we monitor the requirements by soaking a cloth with a saliva and sweat simulant and rubbing it several times with pressure over the polished wooden parts,' explains Monja Morgenroth.

Compliance with all relevant standards

Our products comply in material and workmanship with all European and national regulations for toy safety and also meet US standards, specifically the ASTM Standard Consumer Safety Specification on Toy Safety (F 963).

They comply with the European Toy Directive (2009/48/EC) and meet the requirements of the EU Directive on General Product Safety (2001/95/EC) and the EU standard for toy safety (EN 71). Another important standard in the production of baby and toddler products is the pacifier-holder standard EN 12586. Every HABA pacifier chain is externally inspected by TÜV Rheinland.

HABA pacifier chains are equipped with clips made of high-quality, sturdy plastic that fully comply with the applicable standards. The clips have a diameter of less than 25 mm, which means that no additional ventilation openings are required.

Other accessories for the baby

The HABA pacifier-chain ABC has made it clear: much more effort goes into developing a pacifier chain than meets the eye. But also Stroller chains or grasping toys, activity gyms or mobiles endure a lot as part of the elaborate production and testing process. Once they have successfully passed this, however, they can get on with their real task: accompanying the little ones through everyday life from the very beginning, entertaining them, putting them in a good mood and bringing a smile to their faces.