What is the EU EN71 Standard?

1. What is the EN71 Toy Test?

EN71 is the regulatory standard for toy products in the European Union (EU) market. The implementation of the en71 certification aims to standardize toys entering Europe technically, thereby minimizing or preventing potential harm to children.

The European Commission officially published the harmonized toy safety standard EN71-1:2011 in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) on June 18, 2011. This standard is based on the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (effective July 20, 2011). Under this directive, all toys placed on the EU market after July 20, 2011, must comply with the EN71-1:2011 standard.

• China is a major toy exporter, with Europe as a primary destination accounting for approximately 40% of its annual toy export value.

• Toy Definition: Products designed or intended for play by children under 14 years of age.

• EN 71 is a mandatory standard across EU member states for all such products.

The 12 Parts of the EN 71 Standard

(Note: Part 6 has been withdrawn)

• EN 71-1: Mechanical and physical properties

• EN 71-2: Flammability

• en 71-3: Specification for migration of certain elements

• EN 71-4: Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities

• EN 71-5: Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets

• EN 71-6: Graphical symbols for age warning labeling (Withdrawn)

• EN 71-7: Finger paints

• EN 71-8: Swings, slides, and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use

• en 71-9: Organic chemical compounds – Requirements

• EN 71-10: Organic chemical compounds – Sample preparation and extraction

• EN 71-11: Organic chemical compounds – Methods of analysis

• EN 71-12: N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances

• EN 71-13: Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits, and gustative games

2. Four Main Categories of the EU en71 standard

EN71-1: Physical and Mechanical Properties

This section specifies safety requirements and testing methods for mechanical and physical properties of toys intended for children from birth to 14 years old. It also includes guidelines for packaging, labeling, and user instructions.

• Key Tests: Drop, small parts, sharp edges, tension, compression, seam, eye/nose/ear tension, and torque tests.

• Requirement: Toys must not present hazards such as collapsing, swallowing risks, sharp edges, excessive noise, or sharp points that could endanger a child's life or health.

en71-2: Flammability

This section outlines prohibited flammable materials and specifies flammability requirements for toys exposed to small ignition sources. The burning time (s) or burn rate (mm/s) of tested materials must not exceed standard limits (requirements vary by material).

• Toys worn on the head: Includes beards, moustaches, and wigs made of hair, plush, or similar materials, as well as molded/fabric masks and flowing materials attached to hats or masks.

• Toy disguise costumes and wearable play toys: Includes cowboy suits, nurse uniforms, etc.

• Toys intended to be entered by a child: Covers a broad range of products including plush, plastic, paper, electronic, wooden, metal, leather, educational, and early-learning toys (encompassing nearly all market varieties).

• Soft-filled toys with plush or textile fabrics: Includes stuffed animals and dolls.

EN71-3: Migration of Certain Elements

This section regulates the limits and testing methods for migratable elements in accessible toy parts or materials. The controlled elements include: Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium (III), Chromium (VI), Cobalt, Copper, Lead, Manganese, Mercury, Nickel, Selenium, and Strontium.

• Accessibility Assessment: An articulated probe (simulating a finger) is used. If the probe can touch a component, it is considered accessible.

• Testing Principle: Simulates the continuous contact between the toy material and stomach acid after swallowing to measure the extracted element content.

• Chemical Limits: Heavy metal limits are measured in mg/kg.

3. EN71 Toy Testing Process

1. Determine the necessary product test items.

2. Fill out the testing application form, confirm the test standards, and specify the target age group.

3. Applicant arranges for sample delivery and receipt.

4. Standard product testing typically takes 5-7 working days.

5. Upon passing the test, the laboratory issues the final report.

4. Required Documents

1. Two sets of production samples.

2. Product manual/instructions.

3. Completed EN71 test application form.

5. How Long is the EN71 Testing Cycle?

For standard EN71 certification, laboratories typically complete testing within 5 working days after receiving the samples and application documents.

6. Does the EN71 Test Report Expire?

As long as the product design and regulatory directives remain unchanged, the EN71 test report remains continuously valid. Exceptions apply if a specific buyer or e-commerce platform has special requirements.

7. How Much Does EN71 Testing Cost?

A common misconception is that products made of the exact same material but in different colors can be tested together. EU regulations mandate that EN71 testing must be conducted separately based on different materials and colors, which results in separate charges.

Note: This rule applies to most chemical testing standards, including RoHS, REACH, and CA65.

Additionally, fees vary depending on the specific toy type and any client-designated testing standards. Different test items will incur different costs.