For those of you in the toy business, safety is a top concern. And for toys to be sold in the European market, compliance with the EN 71 series of standards is a must. So you’ll want to know that there’s a new 2014 Edition of the EN 71-1 standard, the overview document for the series. Titled “Safety of toys. Mechanical and physical properties,” this new edition replaces the 2011 Edition with Amendments A1, A2 and A3. I expect that the harmonized list of standards for the toy directive 2009/48/EC will be updated shortly to include this new update.
What does this standard cover? For toys intended for children under the age of 14, this document provides you with the requirements and tests necessary for acceptable mechanical and physical properties. You’ll also find other specific requirements for children under 36 months, 18 months and those too young to sit up without help. It’s 154 pages of details on all aspects of such toys, what the expectations are for toys sold in the EU and what tests should be used to confirm your products meet those expectations.
What does this new edition include? You’ll find that since there’s new parts to the EN 71 series, they are now referenced in this publication. Changes also have been made to the following sections:
- Note 5.2 b)
- Sections 5.4 and 8.39
- Annex B
- The note for 4.25 has been moved to the end of A.55
- Clause 5 is changed
- Clause 7 and section 7.1 are changed
- Sections 8.10.3, 8.12.3, 8.15, 8.22.3.1, 8.28.1.4, 8.28.2.2.1 and 8.34.2 all have been changed.
What other Parts of the EN 71 series have changed this year? Here’s a list of other parts that have been released or updated:
- EN 71-2, 2011 Edition with Amendment A1, Safety of toys. Flammability
- EN 71-3, 2013 Edition with Amendment A1, Safety of toys. Migration of certain elements
- EN 71-7, 2014 Edition, Safety of toys. Finger paints. Requirements and test methods
- EN 71-13, 2014 Edition, Safety of toys. Olfactory board games, cosmetic kits and gustative games
- FYI Only: EN 71-14 is in the works. When released, it will be titled Safety of toys. Trampolines for domestic use.
How do you get your copy of one or more of these standards? You’ll go to the Document Center Inc. webstore at www.document-center.com. There you can order your copies knowing that you’re purchasing them from an authorized dealer of these standards. If you have additional questions, please get in touch with our staff. You can reach them by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com). We’re your Standards Experts!
