What is EN71 Testing?

To strengthen the supervision of the quality of children’s toy products and comprehensively ensure children’s personal safety while playing, countries around the world are actively promoting and continuously improving the construction of toy product safety standard systems. Currently, the toy safety standard EN71, implemented by the European Union, has attracted wide attention. This toy directive explicitly applies to any product or material designed for or intended to be used by children under 14 years of age.

So, do you know what specific test items are coveRED by EN71? JJR Testingwill provide you with a detailed explanation below.

What is the EN71 Testing Standard?

EN71is a regULatory standard for toy products in the European market. Children are a group that society cares for deeply, and the toy market — beloved by children — has been growing rapidly. However, injuries caused by poor-quality toys occur from time to time. Therefore, countries around the world are increasingly tightening requirements for toys sold in their markets.

What Does EN71 Include?

The en71 standardis a legal requirement for all toys sold within the European Union to meet the basic requirements of the Toy Safety Directive (TSD).

It consists of the following 12 parts (Note: Part 6 has been withdrawn):

EN71-1: Mechanical and physical properties

en71-2: Flammability

EN71-3: Migration of certain elements

EN71-4: Experimental sets for cheMICal and related activities

EN71-5: Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets

EN71-6: Graphical symbols for age warning labeling (withdrawn)

EN71-7: Finger paints

EN71-8: Swings, slides, and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family use

en71-9: Organic chemical compounds – requirements

EN71-10: Organic chemical compounds – sample preparation and extraction

EN71-11: Organic chemical compounds – analytical methods

EN71-12: N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances

EN71-13: Olfactory games, cosmetic kits, and gustative games

Commonly Applied EN71 Tests

There are many EN71 standards, but typically, general toys, daily-use items, handicrafts, toy-like products, and baby products are tested only on three main parts before being approved for entry into the EU market:

EN71-1:Physical and mechanical properties

EN71-2:Flammability

EN71-3:Migration of toxic metals

EN71-1: Mechanical and Physical Properties

(1) Overview:

EN71-1 mainly tests for sharp points, sharp edges, tensile strength, pressure resistance, and more.

(2) Detailed Analysis:

This section specifies the safety technical requirements for the mechanical and physical properties of toys intended for children of various age groups, from newborns to 14 years old. It also defines requirements for packaging, labeling, and instructions for use.

Toys must not collaPSE, be swallowed, have sharp edges or points, produce harmful noise, or pose any other hazards that could endanger children’s safety and health.

(3) Specific Test Items Include:

Sharp point test, sharp edge test, small parts test, pressure test, bending test, impact test, seam strength test, tensile test, torque test, noise level test, strength of moving parts, packaging film thickness test, projectile toy test, hair attachment test, etc.

EN71-2: Flammability

(1) Overview:

EN71-2 tests toy flammability, mainly evaluating the burning rate of materials such as plush toys, textile toys, and headgear-type toys.

(2) Detailed Analysis:

EN71-2 specifies the types of highly flammable materials prohibited in all toys. It requires that the burning time (seconds) or burning rate (mm/s) of certain materials must not exceed the limits defined by the standard, with different requirements for different materials.

(3) Mainly Involved Products:

①　Headgear-type toys:Including beards, moustaches, wigs, and similar materials made from hair, plush, or other fibers, as well as molded or fabric masks and flowing materials attached to hats or masks.

②　Toy costumes and dress-up clothing:Such as cowboy suits, nurse uniforms, and other role-play outfits.

③　Toys for children to enter:Including toy tents, puppet theaters, playhouses, and toy tunnels.

④　Soft-filled toys with plush or textile coverings:Including stuffed animals and dolls.

EN71-3: Migration of Certain Elements

(1) Overview:

EN71-3 specifies the limits of migratable elements (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, and tin) in accessible parts or materials of toys — commonly known as the “eight heavy metal migration test.”

(2) Detailed Analysis:

①　Accessibility Determination:Using a jointed probe (simulated finger) to test whether parts of the toy can be REACHed. If the probe can touch a part, it is considered accessible.

②　Principle of Element Migration Test:Simulates the condition in which toy materials come into prolonged contact with gastric acid after swallowing, measuring the amount of elements dissolved from the toy materials under such conditions.

EU Toy Safety Enforcement

The European Union has been intensifying its inspection of toy compliance. Many toys have been officially reported and ordered off the market due to failure to meet EN71-2 flammability standardsor EN71-1 small parts regulations.