European and International Standards for the safety of toys; Toys Safety Directive standards; EN, ISO or IEC Standards for safe toys; Chemicals in toys; State of the art standards for toys safety; EN 71 series and ISO 8124 series of standards
A toy is a physical object used by children for recreational or educational purposes. Toys can be used to teach children about the world around them, help develop their motor skills, and provide them with imaginative play. Toys come in many forms and can range from dolls and action figures to construction sets, puzzles, and more. European standards for toys help to ensure the safety of children when using toys by setting out requirements for the design, materials, and other safety aspects of toys, including warnings and instructions, strength and stability, and chemical composition.
European standards (CEN and CENELEC) as well as ISO and IEC standards cover a wide range of aspects regarding the safety of toys and other child-related products.
Some of these Standards for Toys include:
- EN 71 Series - European standards for the safety of toys;
- European and International standards for the Safety of Electric Toys or games with electric parts EN IEC 62115;
- ISO 8124 Serie of International standards on safety of toys.
Other relevant documents include 'Children´s mouthing behaviour in contact with toys', 'Age determination guidelines' or Warnings and their translation into different languages (see below).
The European Union regulates the safety of toys by implementing the Toy Safety Directive, amonst other relevant pieces of legislation. This directive was put in place to ensure that toys meet certain safety requirements before they can be put on the market. The Toys Safety Directive sets out requirements for the design, materials, and other safety aspects of toys, including warnings and instructions, strength and stability, and chemical composition. Labels must include information regarding the toy’s age range, potential hazards, and contact information for the manufacturer. These requirements help to ensure that any potential hazards posed by toys are identified and minimized before they are put onto the market. Other applicable pieces of legislation include Chemicals, inter alia.
Testing and certification are also important components of European standards for toys. Toys must be tested to ensure that they meet the requirements set out in the Toys Safety Directive and other applicable standards, such as the EN 71 Standard for Toy Safety. These tests are conducted by independent laboratories and must be completed before the toy can be put on the market. This ensures that toys are safe for children to use and that they meet the required safety standards. See below a list of accredited testing activities in Europe and beyond. Some Accredited Laboratories in Europe for the safety of toys are also Notified bodies under the Toys Safety Directive by EU member states.
European standards for toys help to ensure the safety of children when using toys. These standards ensure that toys are designed and manufactured in a way that minimizes the risk of injury or illness to children. The Toys Safety Directive sets out requirements for the safety of toys, including testing to ensure that toys are safe for use. Labeling must include information regarding the toy’s age range, potential hazards, and contact information for the manufacturer. These requirements help to ensure that any hazards posed by toys are identified and minimized before they are put onto the market.
