Toy Flammability Test Compliance Certification

What Requirements Must Toy Materials Meet?

As global market requirements for the safety of children's products continue to rise, Toy Safety Standards have become a critical component of international trade. EN 71 is a dedicated EU standard for toy safety, covering testing requirements for physical properties, chemical toxicity, combustion risks, and other aspects. Passing the EN 71 test and obtaining CE certification are prerequisites for toys to enter the EU market, and these standards also exert a profound impact on the global toy industry.

So, what exactly does the EN 71 test entail? What requirements must toy materials satisfy? This article will provide you with a detailed breakdown.

What is the EN 71 Test?

The EN 71 test is a mandatory toy safety standard formulated by the EU in accordance with the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC). All toys sold in the EU market must pass the EN 71 test and bear the ce marking; otherwise, they may face product recalls, fines, or even legal liabilities.

The EN 71 standard is divided into multiple parts (EN 71-1 to EN 71-14), covering mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical migration, and other aspects of toys, to ensure that toys do not pose safety hazards to children during use.

What EN 71 Requirements Must Toy Materials Comply With?

EN 71 imposes stringent testing requirements on toy materials, focusing on the following key areas:

1. Mechanical and Physical Properties (EN 71-1)

This section primarily tests the structural safety of toys to prevent injuries to children caused by ingestion, sharp edges, or broken fragments.

①　Small Parts Restriction: Toys intended for children under 3 years old must not contain swallowable small components (e.g., button batteries, magnets) to mitigate choking hazards.

②　Sharp Edges and Points: Materials must not produce sharp edges after cutting and assembly to avoid lacerating children.

③　Structural Strength: Toys must undergo tensile and torsion tests to ensure they will not break or generate dangerous fragments during use.

2. Flammability (EN 71-2)

The flammability test of toy materials is designed to assess their combustibility and reduce fire risks.

①　Flame Retardancy Test: For example, textile materials such as doll wigs and plush toys must pass the vertical flammability test, with a combustion rate not exceeding 30mm/s.

3. Chemical Migration (en 71-3)

Children often put toys in their mouths, so the content of harmful chemicals in toy materials must be strictly controlled.

①　Heavy Metal Restrictions: Limits the content of 19 migratable heavy metals (e.g., lead, cadmium, mercury) to levels not exceeding the thresholds set by the EU. For instance:

▪ Lead (Pb) ≤ 13.5 mg/kg

▪ Cadmium (Cd) ≤ 1.3 mg/kg

②　Phthalates: Plasticizers used to soften plastics are restricted in children's toys. The total content of 6 specific phthalates in plastic toys must not exceed 0.1%.

4. Specialized Testing for Specific Materials

In addition to the basic requirements above, certain categories of toys must meet additional safety standards:

①　Electronic Toys: Must comply with EN 62115 (the safety standard for electric toys) to ensure the safety and reliability of electronic components.

②　Finger Paints: Must pass microbial testing (EN 71-12) to avoid bacterial or mold contamination and ensure safety for children's use.

Does EN 71 Certification Mean Toys Can Be Sold Globally?

While EN 71 certification is a prerequisite for entering the EU market, different countries and regions may have distinct requirements for toy safety. Examples include:

①　United States: Toys must comply with the ASTM F963 toy safety standard, regulated by the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission).

②　China: Toys must meet the GB 6675 national toy safety standard.

③　Japan: Toys must satisfy the ST (Safety Toy) standard.

Therefore, even if toys comply with EN 71 standards, additional certifications based on the regulations of target markets are required for global sales expansion.

EN 71 is a mandatory EU standard for toy safety, covering testing requirements for mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical migration, and other aspects. Passing the EN 71 test and affixing the ce marking not only facilitates market access to the EU but also enhances the international competitiveness of products.

Nevertheless, toy safety regulations vary across countries. When expanding into global markets, enterprises must obtain corresponding compliance certifications based on the standards of different countries to ensure the smooth entry of toys into target markets.