UK Toy Safety Regulation Standard EN 71-13

On June 22, 2023, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) issued Notice 0084/23, updating the list of designated standards under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011 No. 1881). The update came into force on the same date, June 22, 2023.

This update involves one toy standard: EN 71-13.

The complete list of designated standards referenced by the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011 No. 1881), effective from June 22, 2023, is shown in the table below:

Note: The limit values specified in point a of Table 2, Clause 4.2 of EN 71-12:2016 (i.e., limits for elastomer toys intended for children under 36 months of age and likely to be placed in the mouth) are lower than those stipulated in point 8, Section 3 of Schedule 2 of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011 No. 1881). The specific limits are as follows:

EN 71-13:2021+A1:2022 applies to olfactory board games, cosmetic kit toys, gustative game toys, and their accessories. The standard specifies the use, quantity, and concentration of substances and mixtures in these game toys and kit toys.

①　Olfactory board game: A toy designed to help children learn to identify different odors or fragrances. It may involve smelling and/or tasting, as taste ultimately relies on the sense of smell for odor and fragrance recognition.

②　Cosmetic kit: A toy intended to assist children in learning to make products such as fragrances, soaps, creams, shampoos, body washes, lip glosses, lipsticks, or other cosmetics, toothpaste, and hair conditioners.

③　Gustative game (also referred to as gustative kit or food kit): A toy designed to allow children to make candies or dishes using food ingredients including confectionery, liquids, powders, and spices.

Compared with its previous version, EN 71-13:2021+A1:2022 has mainly added clauses emphasizing that cosmetic kit toys and gustative game toys shall not be used by children under 36 months of age. In addition, it has revised the list of sensitizing fragrances to comply with the requirements of the amended EU Toy Safety Directive Annex II, namely (EU) 2020/2088 and (EU) 2020/2089.