What are CE EN71 Safety Standards?

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Update time : 2026-08-26

Introduction to EN71 Testing

EN71 is a series of Toy Safety Standards established by the European Union, aimed at ensuring the physical, chemical, mechanical, and electrical safety of toys for children.

Scope of Application: All toy products sold in the EU market.
Core Objective: To protect children's health and prevent potential injuries caused by toys (such as choking, poisoning, cuts, etc.).
Latest Version: The en71 standard is continuously updated, and attention must be paid to the latest versions (e.g., EN71-1:2014+A1:2018).

Testing Scope

EN71 testing applies to all toys intended for use by children under 14 years of age, including but not limited to:

Traditional Toys: Building blocks, dolls, puzzles, models, etc.
Electronic Toys: Electric toys, remote control toys, sound and light toys, etc.
Outdoor Toys: Slides, swings, bicycles, etc.
Stationery Toys: Playdough, colored pens, stickers, etc.
Childcare Articles: Baby pacifiers, soothing pacifiers, etc. (partially applicable).

Testing Items (EN71 Series Standards)

The EN71 standard is divided into multiple parts, covering testing requirements across different aspects:

Standard No.	Testing Content	Main Requirements
EN71-1	Mechanical and physical properties	Prevents small parts from detaching, sharp edges, sharp points, choking hazards, etc.
en71-2	Flammability	Tests the burning rate of toy materials to prevent flammable materials from causing fires.
EN71-3	Migration of certain elements (19 heavy metals)	Restricts the migration limits of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium (e.g., lead ≤ 13.5mg/kg).
EN71-4	Experimental sets for chemistry	Ensures the safety of chemistry experimental toys and prevents the leakage of toxic substances.
EN71-5	Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets	Restricts the content of harmful substances in chemical toys (such as paints, glues, etc.).
EN71-7	Finger paints	Tests the chemical safety of finger paints (such as preservatives and heavy metal content).
EN71-8	Activity toys for domestic use	Tests the mechanical strength and stability of domestic activity toys like swings and slides.
en71-9	Organic chemical compounds	Restricts the content of organic compounds such as phthalates and formaldehyde in toys.
EN71-12	N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances	Restricts the content of N-nitrosamines in rubber toys.
EN71-13	Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games	Tests the chemical safety of olfactory and gustative toys.

Standards and Regulations

EU Regulations:

Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC: The EN71 series of standards serves as the core technical support for this directive.
reach regulation: Restricts the use of chemical substances such as phthalates in toys.

International Standards:

ISO 8124: The international toy safety standard, which is similar to EN71.

Chinese Standards:

GB 6675: The Chinese toy safety standard, parts of which refer to EN71.

Why is EN71 Testing and Certification Necessary?

Mandatory Legal Requirement:

Toys entering the EU market must comply with the EN71 standard, otherwise, they face recalls, fines, or sales bans.

Child Safety Protection:

Ensures that toys will not cause physical or chemical harm to children.

Market Access:

EU importers and retailers require suppliers to provide EN71 Test Reports.

Brand Reputation:

Products complying with the EN71 standard are more likely to gain consumer trust.

Testing and Certification Cycle

Standard Cycle: 7-10 working days (depending on sample complexity and the number of testing items).
Expedited Service: Can be shortened to 3-5 working days (requires additional fees).

Required Documents for Testing and Certification

Product Information:

Product name, model, suitable age, and Bill of Materials (BOM).

Sample Requirements:

Finished toys (provide a sufficient number of samples based on the testing items).

Technical Documents:

Design drawings, production process descriptions, and packaging information.

Application Form:

Specify the testing items (e.g., EN71-1, EN71-3, etc.) and the target market (e.g., the EU).

Important Considerations

Age Grouping:

Toys must be tested according to their applicable age groups (e.g., 0-3 years, 3-6 years, etc.), as different age groups have different requirements.

Labels and Warnings:

Toy packaging must clearly display the ce mark, applicable age, and warning statements (e.g., choking hazard for small parts).

Dynamic Updates:

The EN71 standard is revised periodically; you must pay attention to the latest versions (e.g., EN71-3:2019).

Supply Chain Management:

Ensure that raw materials (such as plastics and coatings) comply with EN71-3 chemical requirements.

Conclusion

EN71 testing is a mandatory requirement for toys entering the EU market. Enterprises must choose the applicable testing items based on their product characteristics and ensure that the design, materials, and production processes comply with the standards. It is recommended to choose authoritative laboratories (such as JJR LAB, etc.) for testing and certification to ensure compliance and market competitiveness.