EN71 is the standard specification for toy products in the EU market. Children are the most cared for and protected group in society, and the toy market, which is generally favored by children, is developing rapidly. However, various toys often cause harm to children due to quality issues, leading countries around the world to impose increasingly strict requirements on toys in their markets. Many countries have established their own safety regulations for these products, and manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with relevant standards before being sold in the region. Manufacturers are responsible for accidents caused by production defects, poor design, or the use of inappropriate materials. As a result, the EN71 certification regulation for toys was introduced in Europe, which aims to technically regulate toy products entering the European market through the EN71 standard, thereby reducing or avoiding harm to children from toys.

 

EN 71-1: Physical and mechanical testing;

Includes non-sound toys, sound toys, headphone sound toys, 7000 switch tests for toy cabinets, ride-on toys, mouth-operated toys; includes drop tests, small parts tests, sharp edge tests, tensile tests, pressure tests, seam tests, component tests, ear, nose, and eye tensile tests, torque tests, etc.

EN 71-2: Flammability testing;

Includes:

1. Finished products;

2. Plush fabrics or plush materials;

3. Liquid flash point testing

EN 71-3: Testing for the content of 8 toxic metals: (lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, barium, mercury, selenium, antimony);

Limit standards: lead ≤ 90, cadmium ≤ 75, chromium ≤ 60, arsenic ≤ 25, barium ≤ 1000, mercury ≤ 60, selenium ≤ 500, antimony ≤ 60 units: (PPM)

EN71-1: Physical and mechanical

4.1 Materials visually free of impurities, contamination, etc.

4.2 Assembly

This clause addresses toys that must be assembled before play or are dangerous if improperly assembled (typical toys: ride-on toys, which are sold in bulk during transport). Adult assembly requires instructions and a statement similar to 'assembled by adults' as a reminder.

4.3 Flexible Plastic Sheeting

When the size of the flexible plastic sheet is greater than 100mm × 100mm, the thickness of the film must be greater than 0.038mm or the hole area within any 30mm × 30mm area must be at least 1%. For plastic film balloons, the double-layer thickness in an uninflated state must be greater than 0.038mm; this clause does not apply to latex balloons.

4.4 Toy Bags

Bags with an opening circumference greater than 380mm and using a drawstring as a sealing method must meet at least one of the following two conditions: 1. The bag is made of breathable material 2. There is a ventilation hole with an area of at least 1300mm2, which can be achieved with two holes at least 150mm apart or a single ventilation hole with an area of at least 1300mm2.

4.5 Glass

Except for the following situations, accessible glass is not suitable for children over 3 years old.

1. Functionally necessary (typical examples: light bulbs, microscope lenses, beakers)

2. Glass fiber that enhances functionality

3. Glass marbles or glass eyes of toys

4.6 Expanding Materials

Toys made of expanding materials must not exceed a 50% expansion rate in any direction after the expansion test if there are small parts before and after misuse.

4.7 Edges

Accessible metal or glass must not have sharp edges, and metal edges must not have burrs. For toys intended for children over 3 years old, if there are functional sharp edges, a warning label must be added to remind users (typical toy: pencil sharpener, which requires a warning label on the packaging: Warning! Pencil sharpener presents sharp edges, not suitable for children under 3 years due to functional sharp edges.) Sharp edge gauge and pointed gauge.

4.8 Points and Metallic Wires

Accessible points must not be sharp points, and for toys intended for children over 3 years old, if there are functional sharp points, a warning label must be added to remind users (typical toy: sewing needle, which requires a warning label on the packaging). Toys with easily bendable metal wires must not break and pose a danger after testing.

4.9 Protruding Parts

Protruding tubes and rigid parts that pose a stabbing hazard to children must be protected, and the protective device must not come off after tensile testing. The ends of umbrella ribs must also be protected.

4.10 Parts moving against each other: relative motion of parts

4.10.1 Folding and sliding mechanisms.

1. Toy carts

2. Ironing boards

3. Folding chairs, etc.

Mainly to prevent collapse, compression, scratches, and other dangers.

4.10.2 Driving Mechanisms

Remote control cars, wind-up toys, and other mechanical structures must not be exposed. The gap between the wind-up key or starting handle and the toy body must not be between 5mm and 12mm, and there must be no openings that can accommodate a 5mm round rod on the wind-up or handle.

4.10.3 Hinges

The gap between the lid and the body of a cover weighing more than 250g must not be between 5-12mm.

4.10.4 Springs

1. The gap of accessible disc springs must not exceed 3mm.

2. The gap between adjacent coils of a spiral tension spring that can be touched must not exceed 3mm when subjected to a pulling force of 40N (not applicable to springs beyond their elastic range).

3. If a touchable spiral compression spring can withstand an external force of 40N or more, the gap between adjacent coils must not exceed 3mm when at rest (not applicable to springs beyond their elastic range).

4.11 Mouth Actuated Toys

After immersion testing, torque testing, and tensile testing, the mouthpiece must not produce small parts, and no small parts should be produced after blowing and sucking tests. The stopper at the mouthpiece of blow dart toys must not detach after misuse testing to prevent the blow dart from being sucked back.

4.12 Balloons

Latex balloons must carry a warning label, and the packaging of natural latex balloons must indicate that the balloons are made from natural latex.

4.13 Cords of Toy Kites and Other Flying Toys

The resistance of kite lines longer than 2m must be greater than 100 MΩ/cm, and users must be warned of the potential dangers of flying toys near high voltage lines and during thunderstorms.

Toy boxes and helmets

4.14 Enclosures

4.14.1 Toys which a child can enter: If the internal space is greater than 0.03m3 and the dimensions exceed 150mm, then:

a. At least two unobstructed ventilation openings must be provided, spaced at least 150mm apart, with an area of 650mm2 or more.

b. Toys with doors, lids, or similar devices must be able to be opened from the inside with a maximum force of 50N.

c. Toy cabinets with vertically opening hinged lids must have a lid support device to prevent sudden collapse or falling of the lid. The lid support device must ensure that the travel distance of the lid falling under its own weight does not exceed 12mm from any position between 50mm and 60 degrees of the arc movement.

d. After 7000 switching cycles of testing, the lid of the toy cabinet must still meet this requirement.

4.14.2 Masks and helmets

1. At least two openings or a single ventilation area must be provided, spaced at least 150mm apart, ensuring a total ventilation area of no less than 1300mm2.

2. All rigid materials covering the face, such as goggles, space helmets, or face shields, must not produce sharp edges, points, or fragments that can enter the eyes after torque testing, tensile testing, drop testing, and pressure testing.

3. Simulated protective masks and helmet toys (such as motorcycle helmets, industrial safety helmets, and firefighter armor) and their packaging must carry warning labels.

4.15 Toys intended to bear the mass of a child.

1. Must include assembly instructions, usage instructions, adult supervision information, and warning labels for specific toy requirements.

2. Must not collapse after strength testing (dynamic and static testing) and must not expose sharp points or edges.

3. Stability testing.

4. Brake testing.

5. The gap between toys with wheels must not be between 5-12mm. Requirements for rocking horses and bicycles.

6. The minimum insertion depth mark for bicycle saddle posts must be at least 2.5 times the diameter.

7. Rocking horse toys must have a limiting device on the bottom arched frame.

4.15.5 Special requirements for toy scooters.

A. Whether the handlebar is foldable, requirements for folding gaps and gaps between moving parts. Strength of the handle and locking mechanism when pushed down or pulled up.

B. Front wheel (not less than 120mm) and handle size (not less than 40mm).