Three of the essential European Toy Safety Standards in the EN 71 series “Safety of Toys” have been revised. They’re available now and are critical for any toy or product that is either intended to be put in a child’s mouth or might have elements that could unintentionally be ingested.
Here’s information on each of the new updates:
BS EN 71 Part 3, 2013 Edition, Safety of toys. Migration of certain elements – This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for the migration of aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium (III), chromium (VI), cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, strontium, tin, organic tin and zinc from toy materials and from parts of toys. Packaging materials are not considered to be part of the toy unless they have intended play value.
BS EN 71 Part 5, 2013 Edition, Safety of toys. Chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets – This European Standard specifies requirements and test methods for the substances and materials used in chemical toys (sets) other than experimental sets. These substances and mixtures are:
- those classified as dangerous by the EC legislation applying to dangerous substances and dangerous mixtures,
- substances and mixtures which in excessive amounts could harm the health of the children using them and which are not classified as dangerous by EC legislation, and
- any other chemical substance(s) and mixture(s) delivered with the chemical toy.
BS EN 71 Part 12, 2013 Edition, Safety of toys. N-Nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances – This European Standard specifies the requirements and test methods for N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances for:
- toys and parts of toys made from elastomers and intended for use by children under 36 months,
- toys and parts of toys made from elastomers and intended to be placed in the mouth, and
- finger paints for children under 36 months.
Examples of toys made from elastomers are balloons and teethers.
These three new revisions are expected to be included soon on the list of Harmonized Standards for use by companies whose products must meet the requirements of the Directive 2009/48/ec “Safety of Toys.”
The European Union’s Directive System is focused on the removal of hazardous substances from any number of products. Products used by children are of particular importance to the trading region. If you have developed a product to be used by children and want to include the CE Mark on your label, you’ll need to make sure your product complies with the new EN 71 standards.
Document Center Inc. provides easy ordering of all the Official English Language EN editions at our web store, www.document-center.com. Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617), or email (info@document-center.com). We’re here to assist you with your questions about the standards you need in order to comply with export requirements from around the world.