New European Toy Standard EN 71-1:2026

On 28 January 2026, the Central Secretariat of the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) officially distributed the new edition of the European toy safety standard EN 71 Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties, designated EN 71-1:2026, to the national standardization bodies of its member states.

EN 71-1:2026 replaces EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018. CEN member states shall transpose this standard into their national standards by 31 JULy 2026 at the latest, and any conflicting national standards shall be superseded by 31 July 2027 at the latest. The standard is expected to be approved by the European Commission 12 months after its publication, and will be published and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) as a harmonized standard under the European Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.

Main Updates of the New Standard

01 Definitions

Certain definitions have been updated, added or deleted. Key additions include definitions for monorail/multi-rail ride-on toys, toy balance bikes, and stabilizer wheels.

02 Mechanical and Physical Property Requirements and Testing

A. Expansive Materials

A new compliant scenario and its test method (referenced to ASTM F963) have been added: the material can pass completely through a 20.0 mm diameter gauge after expansion.

B. Enclosed Toys

For ventilation requirements of toys accessible to children and toys that can enclose the head, a new compliant scenario for ventilation groups consisting of multiple ventilation openings, as well as the test method for measuring the ventilation area of such ventilation groups, have been added.

C. Toys Intended to Support the Weight of a Child

Specific requirements and corresponding test methods have been formulated for each category of weight-bearing toys separately.

• Toy Scooters: New requirements for clearances between wheels and the body; new impact tests and requirements for handlebar ends; new torque tests and requirements for handlebar stems and front fork stems have been added. Stability requirements have been updated.

• Toy Balance Bikes: A new clause has been added, specifying requirements and corresponding test methods for clearances, front wheel diameter, handlebar ends, brake systems, minimum insertion depth markings for adjustable handlebar stems and seat posts, clamping of handlebar stems and seat posts, stability, static and dynaMIC strength, as well as warnings/labels/instructions for use and maintenance.

• Toy Bicycles: New requirements and test methods for front wheel diameter and handlebar ends have been added; requirements and test methods for brake levers and brake performance (hand brakes and foot brakes) have been updated; new clamping requirements and test methods for handlebar stems and seat posts have been added; new requirements and tests for stabilizer wheels (distances between stabilizer wheels and rear wheels/ground, strength of stabilizer wheel brackets) have been added; requirements for warnings/labels/instructions for use and maintenance have been updated.

• Monorail/Multi-rail Ride-on Toys: A new clause has been added, specifying requirements for clearances, push bars, drive chains, handlebar ends, brake systems, minimum insertion depth markings for adjustable handlebar stems and seat posts, stability, static and dynamic strength, as well as warnings/labels/instructions for use and maintenance.

• Other Non-wheeled Ride-on Toys (Pogo Sticks, Hoppers and Sledges): A new clause has been added, specifying requirements for stability, static and dynamic strength, as well as warnings/labels/instructions for use and maintenance.

D. Projectile Toys

The rounding requirements for adjacent edges at the front end of projectiles for non-energy-storing projectile toys (toy catapults/elastic band projectiles, non-energy-storing projectile toys that store energy only when held by the user) have been deleted (Clause [4.17.3.2](4.17.3.2)).

E. Water Toys and Inflatable Toys

Requirements and exemption requirements for large inflatable water ride-on toys have been updated.

F. Yo-Yos

A new compliant scenario has been added: the tether breaks during the yo-yo test specified in Clause 8.33.

G. Toy Simulants of Food

A new clause has been added, establishing the judgment criteria and requirements for realistic food-simulating toys (non-small parts).

H. Small Parts in Toys for Children Under 3 Years

A toy type exempt from small parts requirements has been added: sand in sandboxes intended for sandpits, used for digging, shaping, pouring, etc. Requirements and exemption scenarios for small parts made of cardboard have been updated.

I. Soft Filled Toys

A new requirement has been added: openings that allow small parts to be exposed without further manipulation after seam tensile testing are unacceptable.

J. Shape and Size of Certain Toys

A toy component exempt from requirements has been added: fasteners intended to attach the toy to a cot, provided that product instructions clearly state the fasteners shall be removed before the toy is given to a child.

K. Straps Designed to Go All or Part of the Way Around the Neck

A new requirement has been added for breakaway devices: the joint can be reconnected after breaking without altering the joint’s characteristics.

Warnings and Instructions for Use

(1) Toys Not Suitable for Children Under 36 Months

A new requirement has been added: when an age warning symbol is used instead of the warning “Not suitable for children under 3 years old”, the word WARNING shall be placed prior to or above the age warning symbol.

(2) Toys Intended to Support the Weight of a Child

For protective device warnings on toy scooters, toy balance bikes and toy bicycles, the use of warning symbols from EN ISO 7010 has been approved as an option.

Warnings for the maximum user weight of toy roller skates, toy inline skates and toy skateboards have been updated.

Requirements for instructions for use and maintenance of weight-bearing toys have been updated.

Dispersed warnings and instructions for such toys have been consolidated into a single general clause (Clause 7.14).