EN71-2 Flammability Test for Toys

en71-2 is a European standard regarding the flammability requirements for toys, primarily aimed at reducing the risk of fire-related injuries to children. The EN71-2 standard specifically tests the flammability of toy materials to ensure that toys will not cause fires or severe injuries under normal use and foreseeable misuse.

Main Contents of the EN71-2 Standard

Material Flammability Requirements

1. All materials of the toy (such as fabrics, plastics, coatings, etc.) must undergo specific flammability tests to evaluate whether they possess hazardous burning characteristics.

2. Depending on the different types of toys and materials, EN71-2 requires the flammability of the toy to comply with specific criteria. For example, the surface of a toy must not have an excessively high burning rate to prevent the rapid spread of fire.

Flammability Test Methods

1. Self-extinguishing test: An ignition test is performed on the toy to ensure that it will self-extinguish as quickly as possible once the ignition source is removed and will not continue to burn.

2. Test conditions: This usually involves igniting the surface of the toy using an open flame or heating equipment to test the duration of the burning, the speed of flame spread, and the generation of smoke.

Classification of Toy Types

1. The EN71-2 standard sets different requirements for different types of toys. For instance, toys made of different materials, such as toy costumes, plush toys, and fabric products, may have varying flammability requirements.

2. For fabric-based toys (such as clothing, masks, etc.), EN71-2 specifically requires them to be self-extinguishing and to avoid producing excessive smoke or toxic gases when burning.

Age Group Requirements

1. EN71-2 also sets different flammability requirements based on the target age group of the toy (e.g., 0-3 years old, over 3 years old). For infant and toddler toys in particular, the standard requirements are stricter to reduce the risk of fires caused by ingestion, misuse, or accidents.

Test Results and Labeling

1. After a toy passes the EN71-2 flammability test, manufacturers must ensure that all toys comply with the safety standards and must indicate compliance with the relevant safety standards on the product label or in the instruction manual.

The EN71-2 Testing Procedures Include the Following:

• Flammability of fabrics and soft toys: Through open flame tests or burning behavior tests, this ensures that the fabrics or soft materials of the toys do not catch fire easily and can extinguish rapidly if ignited.

• Flammability of solid toys: Tests whether the toy is easily ignited and whether it can safely extinguish when exposed to an ignition source.

• Hot plate testing: For certain toys with potential fire risks (such as electrical toys, inflatable toys, etc.), hot plate or open flame tests are also required to ensure their stability and safety under high temperatures.