Toy safety and compliance testing for UK/EU (EN71 Part1, EN71 Part2, EN71 Part3) 

Compliance testing for toys including: 
Stuffed toys 
Plastic toys 
Wooden toys 
Painted toys 
Balloons 
Slimes 
If your product is specifically for children, you need to be confident it's safe. We test toys for toxicity, flammability and durability/physical in line with EU toy safety EN71 standards. Read below to find out more about EN71. 

Toy testing for the UK/EU (EN71) - what does it mean? 

Product safety testing and compliance is vital for the toy and children’s product sector, protecting company reputation and driving consumer confidence. 
 
At The Northern Testhouse Ltd, we specialise in the safety testing of toys to European Standards EN71 Parts 1, 2 and 3, adopted by EU member states in their own national language and in the UK as BS EN 71 series. 
 
EN71 Part 1 
 
This checks for physical and mechanical safety aspects. 
 
The standard covers two age groups; toys intended for children under 3 years and toys intended for children over 3 years. 
 
Toys intended for children under 3 years prohibit sharp points, sharp edges, and small parts
 
Assessment is performed after a series of abuse tests such as torque, tension, drop etc, designed to mimic children’s behavior. Small parts are determined using a small parts cylinder, often referred to as choking hazard tube. 
 
Toys with specific functions such as projectiles, acoustics etc, also have additional requirements 
 
 
EN71 Part 2 
 
This checks for flammability aspects. All toys must comply with the general requirements which prohibit highly flammable and cellulose nitrate type materials. 
 
Burn rate in mm/sec. only applies to certain toys such as soft toys, disguise costumes, and toys intended to be entered such as play tents and tunnels. 
 
EN71 Part 3 
 
This checks for the toxicity/migration of certain elements. Materials are classified in the relevant Category I, II or III type and each category has different limit of compliance expressed as mg/kg. 
 
Most materials, such as textiles, polymers, wood, coatings, paper and paperboard etc., are Category III type. 
 
Element 
Symbol 
Category 1 Limits 
Category 2 Limits 
Category 3 Limits 
Aluminium 
Al 
2,250 
560 
28,130 
Antimony 
Sb 
45 
11.3 
560 
Arsenic 
As 
3.8 
0.9 
47 
Barium 
Ba 
1,500 
375 
18,750 
Boron 
1,200 
300 
15,000 
Cadium 
Cd 
1.3 
0.3 
17 
Chromium (III) 
Cr 
37.5 
9.4 
460 
Cobalt 
Co 
10.5 
2.6 
130 
Copper 
Cu 
622.5 
156 
7,700 
Lead 
Pb 
2.0 
0.5 
23 
Manganese 
Mn 
1,200— 
300 
15,000 
Mercury 
Hg 
7.5 
1.9 
94 
Nickel 
Ni 
75 
18.8 
930 
Selenium 
Se 
37.5 
9.4 
460 
Strontium 
Sr 
4,500 
1,125 
56,000 
Tin 
Sn 
15,000 
3,750 
180,000 
Zinc 
Zn 
3,750 
938 
46,000 
Chromium (VI) 
 
0.02 
0.005 
0.2/0.053 (Scrapped) 
Organic Tin 
 
0.9 
0.2 
12 
After an initial review, we will test your product and assess its conformity for the relevant safety test and certification needed to import, distribute, or sell it. 
 
If your product passes, you will receive: 
 
The product test reports 
The UK/EU certification you need 
 
Should your product fail, we will advise you on how to make it safe. 
 
Contact us now to see if your product complies, and to get a personalised quotation. 
 
 
Our site uses cookies. For more information, see our cookie policy. Accept cookies and close
Reject cookies Manage settings