The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC is the European legislation regarding the safety of toys; by which “toys” are any product or material designed or intended whether or not exclusively for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
be accompanied by warnings where necessary.
In addition, information must be maintained for inspection by enforcement authorities.
The EN 71 series of European harmonised toy safety testing standards produced by CEN has been transposed into the British Toy Standards BS EN 71. These are the ‘relevant national toy standards’ for the purpose of toy safety.
Various parts to BS EN 71 have been published. They deal with mechanical and physical properties, flammability requirements, migration of certain elements (i.e. permitted levels of lead, cadmium, etc.), experimental sets for chemistry and related activities, chemical toys other than experimental sets and a pictogram for age warning labeling.
Toy Safety Testing Regulations apply to manufacturers, importers, retailers, hirers and other suppliers of new and second-hand toys – that is, anyone supplying toys in the course of any business. Toys distributed free of charge in the course of business are also covered.
In order comply with the Toy Standards Directive, the primary requirement is that toys meet the essential safety requirements of the Directive. In order to do this, toys must either be manufactured in accordance with harmonised standards, or must be type tested by a notified body in order to demonstrate that they comply with the essential requirements of the Directive.
Additionally, toy safety testing requires that the manufacturer should do the following:
Maintain a technical file containing certain information about the toys (for a period of 10 years after the toy has been placed on the market)
Ensure procedures are in place for series production to remain in conformity. If appropriate for the toy, manufacturers should also carry out sample toy safety testing and, if necessary, keep a register of complaints of non-conforming toys
Ensure the toys bear a type, batch, serial or model number (or if not possible then include the information on the packaging or an accompanying document)
Indicate on the toy their name, registered trade name or registered trade mark and the address at which they can be contacted (or if not possible then include the information on the packaging or an accompanying document)
Supply appropriate instructions and safety information in an appropriate language
Take appropriate corrective actions to deal with toys they have placed on the market that they consider or have reason to believe are not in conformity with the relevant Community harmonisation legislation.
Failure to comply with the Toy Standards Directive can result in compulsory measures ranging from withdrawal of products from the market and import rejections through to fines and even imprisonment.
Toys Safety Testing
GB6675
This Standard controls all toys, i.e. any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
1. Mechanical and physical properties
1.1 Normal use
1.2Reasonably foreseeable abuse
1.3 Material
1.4 Small parts
1.5Shape, size and strength of certain toys
1.6 Edges
1.7 Points
1.8 Projection
1.9 Metal wires and Rods
1.10 Plastic film or plastic bags in packaging and in toys
1.11 Cords and elastics
1.12 Folding mechanisms
1.13 Holes, clearances and accessibility of mechanisms
1.14 Springs
1.15 Stability and overload requirements
1.16 Enclosures
1.17 Simulated protective equipment
1.18 Projectile toys
1.19 Aquatic toys
1.20 Braking
1.21 Toy bicycles
1.22 Speed limitation of electrically driven ride-on toys
1.23 Toys containing a heat source
1.24 Liquid-filled toys
1.25 Mouth-actuated toys
1.26 Toy roller skates and toy skateboards
1.27 Percussion caps
2. Flammability
2.1General requirements
2.2Beards, moustaches, wigs, masks and other products worn on the head with hair or other attached materials
2.3Disguise costumes
2.4Toys intended to be entered by a child
2.5 Filled soft toys
3. Migration of certain elements
4. labeling and instructions
EN71
This Standard controls all toys, i.e. any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
1. Mechanical and physical properties
1.1 General requirements
1.1.1Material
1.1.2Assembly
1.1.3Flexible plastic sheeting
1.1.4Toy bags
1.1.5Glass
1.1.6Expanding materials
1.1.7Edges
1.1.8Points and wires
1.1.9Protruding parts
1.1.10Parts moving against each other
1.1.11Mouth –actuated toys
1.1.12Balloons
1.1.13Cords of toy kites and other flying toys
1.1.14Enclosures
1.1.15Toys intended to bear the mass of a child
1.1.16Heavy immobile
1.1.17Projectiles
1.1.18Aquatic toys
1.1.19Percussion caps specifically designed for use in toys
1.1.20Acoustics
1.1.21Toys containing a heat source
1.1.22Small balls
1.2 Toys intended for children under 36 months
1.2.1General requirements
1.2.2Filling materials
1.2.3 Plastic sheeting
1.2.4Cords on toys
1.2.5Liquid-filled toys
1.2.6Speed limitation of electrically driven toys
1.2.7Glass and porcelain
1.2.8Shape and size of certain toys
1.2.9Toys comprising monofilament fibres
1.2.10Play figures
1.2.11Hemispheric-shaped toys
1.2.12Suction cups
1.3 Packaging
1.4 Warnings and instructions for use
2. Flammability
2.1 General
2.2 Toys to be worn on the head
2.3 Toy disguise costumes and toys intended to be worn by a child in play
2.4 Toys intended to be entered by a child
2.5 Soft-filled toys(animals and dolls,etc) with a piled or textile surface
3. Migration of certain elements
4. Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities
5. Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets
6. Graphical symbol for age warning labelling
7. Finger paints
7.1 Colourants
7.2 Preservatives
7.3 Limits for the migration of certain elements
7.4 Limits for primary aromatic amines
7.5 Taste and smell
7.6 pH-value
7.7 binding agents, extenders, humectants and surfactants
8. Swings, slides and similar activity toys for indoor and outdoor family domestic use
8.1 General
8.2 Barriers, ladders etc
8.3 Entrapment
8.4 Stability of activity toys other than slides, swings and toys with crossbeams
8.5 Slides
8.6 Swings
8.7 See-saws
8.8 Carousels and rocking activity toys
8.9 Waring and labelling
8.10 Labelling
8.11 Assembly and installation instructions
8.12 Maintenance
9. Organic chemical compounds
9.1 Limits
9.2 Liquids in toys
9.3 Formaldehyde
9.4 Methods of analysis
ASTM F963-17
This clause deals with the safety of toys that are intended for use by children under 14 years of age.
1. Material Quality
2. Flammability
3. Toxicology
4. Electrical/Thermal Energy
5. Sound Producing Toys
6. Small Objects
7. Accessible Edges
8. Projections
9. Accessible Points
10. Wires or Rods
11. Nails and Fasteners
12. Packaging Film
13. Folding Mechanisms and Hinges
14. Cords and Elastics in Toys
15. Stability and Over-Load Requirements
16. Confined Spaces
17. Wheels, Tires, and Axles
18. Holes, Clearance, and Accessibility of Mechanisms
19. Simulated Protective Devices
20. Pacifiers
21. Projectile Toys
22. Teethers and Teething Toys
23. Rattles
24. Squeeze Toys
25. Battery-Operated Toys
26. Toys Intended to be Attached to a Crib or Playpen
27. Stuffed and Beanbag-Type Toys
28. Stroller and Carriage Toys
29. Art Materials
30. Toy Gun Marking
31. Balloons
32. Certain Toys with Spherical Ends
33. Marbles
34. Balls
35. Pompoms
36. Hemispheric-Shaped Objects
37. Yo Yo Elastic Tether Toys
38. Magnets
39. Jaw Entrapment in Handles and Steering Wheels
40. Safety Labeling Requirements
41. Instructional Literature
42. Producer’s Markings
CPSC
This clause deals with the safety of toys and children products.
1. Physical and mechanical
1.1 Sharp point
1.2 Sharp edge
1.3 Small part
2. Flammability
2.1 Flammability test on solid 16CFR Part 1500.44
2.2 Flammability on textile materials 16CFR Part 1610
3. Lead content
3.1 Lead content in paint and similar surface-coating materials 16CFR Part 1303
4. Labeling requirement
CPSIA
This Standard mainly controls toys and childcare articles designed for use by children 12 years of age or younger.
1. Physical & mechanical
1.1 16CFR1501 Small parts
1.2 16CFR1500.48 Technical requirements for determining a sharppoint
1.3 16CFR1500.49 Technical requirements for determining a sharp metal or glass edge
1.4 SEC.103 Tracking labels for children’s products
2. Chemical
2.1 Lead content
2.2 Phthalates
C.R.C., C 931
This Standard mainly controls all toys sold in Canada.
1. General
2. Packaging
3. Electrically operated Toys
4. Small objects
5. Metal edges
6. Embedded wires frame or structure
7. Plastic components or toys
8. Wooden components
9. Toys with glass component
10. Fasteners
11. Folding mechanism, bracket or bracing
12. Spring-wound driving mechanism
13. Projectiles
14. Large toys intended to be entered by a child
15. Stationary toys and toys intended to bear the weight of a child
16. Toys contain a heat source
17. Toxic substance
18. Corrosive substance, irritant or sensitizer
19. Plastic material
20. Dolls and soft toys-closing/ornamentation
21. Doll and soft toys-stuffing material
22. Doll and soft toys-eyes or nose
23. Flammability of flat/raised fiber textile material
24. Flammability of yarn filaments
25. Flammability of hair/mane
26. Squeaker, reed, valve and other similar device
27. Pull and push toys
28. Rattles
29. Elastics intended for attaching toys, across a baby carriage, crib or playpen
ST2012
This Standard mainly controls toys designed for use by children 14 years of age.
1. Mechanical and physical properties
1.1Materials
1.1.1Flexible plastics sheeting
1.1.2Wood
1.1.3Glass
1.1.4Stuffing materials
1.1.5Expanding materials
1.2 Construction
1.2.1General requirements
1.2.1.1Edges
1.2.1.2 Overlap join
1.2.1.3 Fastenings
1.2.1.4 Points and wires
1.2.1.5 Components protruding from the body of the toy
1.2.1.6Folding mechanisms
1.2.1.7 Hinges
1.2.1.8 Driving mechanisms
1.2.1.9 Springs
1.2.1.10 Dry cells
1.2.2Requirements applicable to certain types of toys
1.2.2.1 Small toys and detachable components
1.2.2.2 Non-detachable components
1.2.2.3 Toys intended to be put to the mouth
1.2.2.4 Cords and elastics on toys intended for children under 18 months of age
1.2.2.5 Toys intended to be pulled along by the child
1.2.2.6 Toys which a child can enter
1.2.2.7 Toys intended to bear the weight of a child
1.2.2.8 Heavy immobile toys
1.2.2.9 Toys containing a heat source
1.2.2.10 Projectiles
1.2.2.11 Non projectile imitation weapons
1.2.2.12 Imitation protective equipment
1.2.2.13 Toys designed to produce sound when shaken
1.2.2.14 Kites and other flying toys
1.2.2.15 Aquatic toys
1.2.2.16 Inflatable vinyl toys
1.2.2.17 Toys intended to be used by children under 18 months of age
1.2.2.18 Nose level of sound producing toys
1.2.2.19 Large toys
1.2.2.20 Packaging
1.2.2.21 Labeling
2. Flammability
2.1 General
2.2 Beards, moustaches, wigs, masks and other products worn on the head with hair or other attached materials
2.3 Disguise costumes including the associated head wear and other toys intended to be worn by children
2.4 Toys intended to be entered by a child
2.5 Filled soft toys
3. Chemical properties
3.1 Coloring matters
3.2 Toys that are made of materials which are mainly composed of polyethylene, of polyvinyl chloride or of acetyl cellulose (excluding parts on which paint coating is applied)
3.3 Decalcomania, folded papers and rubber-made toys (excluding rubber pacifiers)
3.4 Vinyl chloride resin coating
3.5 The paint applied to the body or the components of the toys (excluding the printing ink used for paper containers)
3.6 Textile products used for toys
3.7 Soap bubble solution
3.8 Ink and the like used for the graphic instruments that are provided with the toys such as pencils, ball-point pens, markers, crayons, pastels, water colors, chalks, etc
3.9 Synthetic resin mainly composed of polyvinyl chloride, for which phthalate compound is used as raw material (including those used for paint coating)
3.10 Rubber pacifiers
3.11 Metals used for toy (neither painted nor covered)
3.12 Materials used for the parts
AS/NZS ISO 8124
This Standard controls all toys, i.e. any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
1.Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
1.1Normal use
1.2 Reasonably foreseeable abuse
1.3Material
1.4 Small parts
1.5 Shape, size and strength of certain toys
1.6 Edges
1.7 Points
1.8 Projections
1.9 Metal wires and rods
1.10 Plastic film or plastic bags in packaging and in toys
1.11 Cords and elastics
1.12 Folding mechanisms
1.13 Holes, clearances and accessibility of mechanisms
1.14 Springs
1.15 Stability and overload requirements
1.16 Enclosures
1.17 Simulated protective equipment, such as helmets, hats and goggles
1.18 Projectile toys
1.19 Aquatic toys
1.20 Braking
1.21 Toy bicycles
1.22 Speed limitation of electrically driven ride-on toys
1.23 Toys containing a heat source
1.24 Liquid-filled toys
1.25 Mouth-actuated toys
1.26 Toy roller skates and toy skateboards
1.27 Percussion caps
1.28Magnets
2. Flammability
2.1 General requirements concerning prohibited materials
2.2Beards, moustaches, wigs, masks and other products worn on the head with hair or other attached materials
2.3Disguise costumes including the associated headgear, and other toys intended to be worn by children (excluding products covered by 2.2 and paper novelty hats)
2.4Toys intended to be entered by a child
2.5Filled soft toys
3. Migration of certain elements
ISO8124
This Standard controls all toys, i.e. any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
1.Safety aspects related to mechanical and physical properties
1.1Normal use
1.2 Reasonably foreseeable abuse
1.3Material
1.4 Small parts
1.5 Shape, size and strength of certain toys
1.6 Edges
1.7 Points
1.8 Projections
1.9 Metal wires and rods
1.10 Plastic film or plastic bags in packaging and in toys
1.11 Cords and elastics
1.12 Folding mechanisms
1.13 Holes, clearances and accessibility of mechanisms
1.14 Springs
1.15 Stability and overload requirements
1.16 Enclosures
1.17 Simulated protective equipment, such as helmets, hats and goggles
1.18 Projectile toys
1.19 Aquatic toys
1.20 Braking
1.21 Toy bicycles
1.22 Speed limitation of electrically driven ride-on toys
1.23 Toys containing a heat source
1.24 Liquid-filled toys
1.25 Mouth-actuated toys
1.26 Toy roller skates and toy skateboards
1.27 Percussion caps
2.Flammability
2.1 General
2.2Toys to be worn on the head
2.3Toy disguise costumes and toys intended to be worn by a child in a play
2.4Toys intended to be entered by a child
2.5soft-filled toys (animals and dolls, etc.) with a piled or textile surface
3. Migration of certain elements
