Exporting Character Toys to the EU Compliance

Recently, a Chinese designer toy IP named Labubuhas taken the world by storm. From Shanghai to Bangkok, Paris to New York, crowds line up outside flagship stores, and resale prices have skyrocketed. One rare first-generation mint-green Labubu collectible even sold for 1.08 million RMBat auction.

But for toys like Labubu to be exported to Europe or listed on cross-border e-commerce platforms in the EU, what certifications are required? Typically, a CE certificationis mandatory, and the product must comply with the EN71 standards.

1. What Is en71 certification?

EN71 is a mandatory toy safety standard established by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its core purpose is to ensure that toys intended for children under the age of 14 are safe in terms of design, manufacturing, and use.

2. Nature and Purpose of the EN71 Standard

- Nature: EN71 is a regulatory standard enforced under the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC)and is mandatory for all toys sold in the EU market.

- Purpose: To minimize or eliminate risks of injury to children—such as choking, poisoning, or burns—through comprehensive safety requirements covering physical, chemical, and mechanical aspects.

3. Scope of the EN71 Standard

- Applicable Products: Toys designed for children under 14 years old, including:

- Plastic/wooden toys (e.g., blocks, puzzles)

- Plush toys

- Electronic toys (e.g., RC cars, sound and light toys)

- Art supplies (e.g., paints, crayons)

- Play mats

- Character figures like Labubu

- Excluded Products: Children's furniture, scientific equipment, sports gear (e.g., bicycles), etc.

4. Core Components of the EN71 Standard

The EN71 standard consists of multiple parts, mainly involving the following tests:

- EN71-1: Physical and Mechanical Properties

- Tests for sharp edges, small parts (using a small parts cylinder to simulate a child’s throat), structural stability, projectile energy limits (≤ 0.08 joules), etc.

- For toys intended for children under 36 months, small detachable parts or magnets under 5 cm in diameter are strictly prohibited.

- EN71-2: Flammability

- Assesses how fast toy materials ignite and burn. For example, headwear toys must not burn faster than 30 mm/second.

- EN71-3: Chemical Properties

- Limits the migration of 19 heavy metals, e.g.:

- Lead ≤ 13.5 mg/kg

- Cadmium ≤ 1.3 mg/kg

- Restricts harmful substances such as:

- Phthalates ≤ 0.1%

- Bisphenol A ≤ 0.04 mg/L

- Formaldehyde in textiles ≤ 30 mg/kg

- Other Important Parts:

- en71-9: Controls organic compounds like formaldehyde and azo dyes.

- EN71-14: Adds special safety clauses for specific toys (e.g., home trampolines).

5. EN71 Certification Process

1. Product Classification

Identify the toy category and applicable EN71 sections.

2. Test Preparation

Provide 3 to 6 unopened production samplesand technical documents such as:

- Application form

- Material list

3. Laboratory Testing

- Duration: 5–7 working days

- Cost: Depends on material, color, etc.

4. Technical Documentation & Declaration

- Prepare a Declaration of Conformity (DoC)

- Maintain technical files for compliance

5. Labeling Requirements

- After certification, affix the CE mark(minimum height: 5 mm) on the product

- Indicate the EU representative’s address

Additional Notes

Companies should establish a batch management systemfor raw materials (e.g., traceability via QR codes) to ensure supply chain compliance.

EN71 certification ensures comprehensive safety control for children's toys and promotes the industry’s standardization.

For high-demand toys like Labubu, compliance with certification requirements is absolutely essential.