EN71 Toy Safety Guide
EN71 is a European toy safety standard that establishes safety requirements for toys sold within the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA). It helps ensure that toys intended for children under 14 years of age are designed and manufactured to minimize potential risks during normal use and foreseeable misuse.
Compliance with EN71 is an important part of meeting the requirements of the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC). Manufacturers, importers, and distributors must ensure that applicable toys comply with relevant EN71 requirements before placing products on the European market.
By addressing hazards such as choking risks, flammability, and exposure to harmful substances, EN71 helps protect children while supporting regulatory compliance for businesses involved in toy manufacturing and distribution.
Why Is EN71 Important?
Children interact with toys differently from adults. They may place products in their mouths, pull components apart, or use toys in unintended ways. As a result, toys require specialized safety assessments that consider age-related behavior and developmental characteristics.
EN71 provides testing and evaluation criteria to help identify and reduce potential hazards before products reach consumers.
Key objectives of EN71 include:
- Reducing mechanical and physical hazards
- Limiting exposure to harmful chemicals
- Evaluating flammability risks
- Supporting child safety during normal use
- Providing a harmonized safety framework across Europe
Compliance with EN71 also helps manufacturers demonstrate conformity with applicable EU toy safety requirements.
Where Does EN71 Apply?
EN71 applies throughout:
- European Union (EU) member states
- European Economic Area (EEA) countries
- Markets that adopt or recognize European toy safety requirements
National market surveillance authorities are responsible for enforcing toy safety regulations. Non-compliant products may be subject to recalls, import restrictions, corrective actions, or removal from the market.
Products Covered by EN71
EN71 applies to products designed or intended for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
Examples include:
- Plush toys and stuffed animals
- Dolls and action figures
- Building blocks and construction toys
- Puzzles and educational toys
- Toy vehicles
- Art and craft materials
- Toy instruments
- Science and activity kits
- Electronic toys
- Role-play costumes and accessories
- Seasonal toys marketed to children
Manufacturers should carefully assess product classification, as some items may be considered toys even if they are not explicitly labeled as such.
Key Parts of the EN71 Standard
The EN71 series consists of multiple sections covering different safety requirements.
EN71-1: Mechanical and Physical Properties
EN71-1 evaluates physical hazards that could cause injury.
Common assessments include:
- Small parts testing
- Sharp edges and sharp points
- Choking hazards
- Pull and torque testing
- Drop testing
- Structural integrity
This section is particularly important for toys intended for young children.
EN71-2: Flammability
EN71-2 establishes flammability requirements for toy materials.
It evaluates how quickly materials burn and whether products present an unreasonable fire risk.
Products commonly assessed include:
- Soft toys
- Dress-up costumes
- Fabric-based toys
- Toys worn by children
EN71-3: Migration of Certain Elements
EN71-3 focuses on chemical safety by limiting the migration of certain elements from toy materials.
Testing commonly covers:
- Lead
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Chromium
- Arsenic
- Selenium
This is one of the most frequently requested toy safety tests because it helps reduce children’s exposure to potentially harmful substances.
Which EN71 Tests Are Most Common?
For many toy products, the core testing requirements include:
| EN71 Section | Purpose |
| EN71-1 | Mechanical and physical safety |
| EN71-2 | Flammability assessment |
| EN71-3 | Chemical safety and heavy metal migration |
Additional testing may be required depending on the toy’s design, materials, intended age group, and functionality.
EN71 vs ASTM F963 vs ISO 8124
Several toy safety standards are used globally.
EN71
- Used throughout the European Union
- Supports compliance with the EU Toy Safety Directive
- Required for toys sold in the European market
ASTM F963
- Primary toy safety standard in the United States
- Referenced under U.S. consumer product safety regulations
- Includes requirements for mechanical, chemical, and electrical safety
ISO 8124
- International toy safety standard
- Used as a reference in many countries
- Provides globally recognized safety requirements
Although these standards share similar safety objectives, testing requirements and regulatory obligations may vary by market.
Related Article:
AS/NZS 8124 Toy Safety Guide
ASTM F963 Toy Safety Standard
How to Ensure toy safety compliance for international markets
How EN71 Testing Works
The EN71 compliance process typically includes the following steps:
1. Product Review
The toy is reviewed to determine applicable testing requirements based on product type, materials, and intended age group.
2. Sample Submission
Representative product samples are submitted for laboratory evaluation.
3. Laboratory Testing
Applicable EN71 tests are conducted according to relevant standard requirements.
4. Test Report Issuance
The laboratory provides documented test results showing compliance status.
5. Technical Documentation
Manufacturers compile technical documentation and supporting records as part of their compliance obligations.
Common Reasons Toys Fail EN71 Testing
Common non-conformities include:
- Excessive levels of restricted substances
- Small parts that create choking hazards
- Sharp edges or sharp points
- Insufficient warnings or labeling
- Flammability failures
- Weak construction that breaks during testing
Identifying these issues early can help reduce delays, product recalls, and corrective actions.
EN71 plays an important role in helping ensure the safety of toys sold in the European market. By addressing mechanical hazards, flammability risks, and chemical safety concerns, the standard provides a framework for evaluating toy safety before products reach consumers.
Use the testing estimator below to select your product category and target market. The tool will help identify the applicable testing standards and provide an estimated testing scope for your project.
ASTM F963, EN71, ISO 8124 Toy Testing Price
Estimate toy testing scope and fees for your target market.
| Standard | Description | Quantity |
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