Today we explain the history of EN71 standards, and answer the questions: which products are covered and not covered by the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC?

History of EN71 standards

EN71 test is the normative standard for toy products in the EU market. Children are a group that the whole society cares about and loves. The toy market that children generally love is developing rapidly. At the same time, various types of toys may cause damage to children due to various quality problems. Therefore, all countries in the world have requirements for toys on their own markets. It is becoming increasingly strict. Many countries have established their own safety regulations for these products, and production companies must ensure that their products meet relevant standards before they are sold in the region. The manufacturer must be responsible for accidents caused by production defects, poor designs, or the use of inappropriate materials.

As a result, the toy EN71 harmonized standards was launched in Europe, which means that the toy products entering the European market will be technically regulated through the EN71 standard, so as to reduce or avoid the harm of toys to children. EN71 has different test requirements for different toys.

The old version of the EU Toy Safety Directive 88/378/EEC, since its promulgation in 1988, has made great achievements in ensuring the safety of toys in the EU market and eliminating trade barriers between member states. However, with the changes of the time, the shortcomings of the directive are gradually exposed, such as the need to further improve the safety requirements, the inefficient implementation of the directive, and the lack of clarity in scope and concepts. And toys on the market use more and more new materials.

Then in 2003, the European Union began to consider revising it and solicited extensive public opinions. On January 25, 2008, the European Union issued a proposal to amend the directive COM(2008) 9. The proposal was approved by the European Parliament on December 18, 2008, and the official text was adopted on June 18, 2009. It was finally published on June 30, 2009. Published in the Official Journal of the European Union, the number of the new directive is 2009/48/EC.

Which products are covered by the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC)?

Many toys such as plush toys, electric toys, plastic toys, baby carriages, etc.

This directive applies to products designed or anticipated by children under the age of 14 (referred to as “toys”), regardless of whether they are specifically used in games. To determine whether the product falls within the scope of the directive, the following standards are provided:

Any designed or anticipated product or material, regardless of whether it is restricted to children under 14 years of age or not.

 “Proprietary” means that the product does not have to be used exclusively for gaming purposes to be regarded as a toy, but it can also have other functions. For example, a key ring with a teddy bear is regarded as a toy or a soft sleeping bag stuffed in the shape of a toy.

Which products are not covered by the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC)?

This directive and the CE mark under the toy safety directive do not apply to the following toys:

• Playground equipment for public use.
• Automatic game machines for public use, regardless of whether they are coin-operated or not.
• Toy cars equipped with internal combustion engines.
• Toy steam engine; and sling and catapult.
• Sports equipment, including roller skates, inline skates and skateboards for children weighing more than 20 kg
• For bicycles with a large saddle height of more than 435 mm, the seat surface is measured by the vertical distance from the ground to the top, the seat is in a horizontal position, and the seat pillar is set as a small insertion mark
• Scooters and other means of transportation, designed for sports or for driving on public roads or public roads
• Electric vehicles used for driving on public roads, public roads or their roads
• Aquatic equipment for deep water, and swimming learning devices for children, such as swimming seats and swimming aids
• More than 500 puzzle pieces
• Guns and pistols that use compressed gas, except for water guns and water guns, and archery bows over 120 cm in length
• Fireworks, including blow caps not specifically designed for toys
• Products and games that use pointed missiles, such as darts with metal dots
• Functional education products, such as electric ovens, irons or other functional products, operate at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts and are specifically used for teaching purposes
• Products used for educational purposes in schools and other teaching environments, such as scientific equipment, under the supervision of adult coaches.
• Electronic equipment used to access interactive software and related peripherals, such as personal computers and game consoles, unless the electronic equipment or related peripherals are specifically designed for children and are aimed at children and have their own game value, such as specialized designed personal computer, keyboard, joystick or steering wheel.
• Interactive software for leisure and entertainment, such as computer games, and storage media such as CDs
• Baby pacifiers
• Children’s attractive lamps
• Electronic transformers for toys
• Children’s fashion accessories cannot be used in games.

Do you have questions in regards to EU Toys Safety Directive 2009/48/EC? You are searching for a reliable European authorized representative for your CE mark toy products? Contact EU-REP-Service for free consulting!