EN 71 – Safety of Toys is the European standard ensuring that children’s toys meet strict safety, chemical, flammability, and quality requirements. Below you’ll learn what EN 71 covers, who must comply, and how to access the official standard legally.
What Is EN 71?
EN 71 is a harmonized European standard (divided into multiple parts) that defines safety requirements and test methods for toys intended for children under 14 years old. It minimizes hazards not obvious to users — such as choking, toxic chemicals, flammability, or structural failure — assuming toys are used as intended.
Main Parts of EN 71 Standard
- EN 71‑1: Mechanical & physical properties
- EN 71‑2: Flammability requirements
- EN 71‑3: Migration of certain elements / chemical safety
- EN 71‑4 / 5 / 7 / 8 / 12 / 13 / 14 … Additional parts covering chemical toys, age labeling, paints, activity toys, organic compounds, trampolines, cosmetic or olfactory games, and more.
Why EN 71 Compliance Matters
- Ensures toys are free from choking hazards, sharp edges, and structural failures.
- Minimizes flammability risks by restricting dangerous materials in toys.
- Protects children from toxic substances via strict chemical migration and content limits.
- Required for CE marking and legal marketing of toys in the EU; non-compliant toys may be banned.
- Builds trust with customers, retailers, and regulators — crucial for manufacturers and importers.
Who Must Comply with EN 71?
If you manufacture, distribute, import, or sell toys in the European Union — including plush toys, plastic toys, wooden toys, chemical toy sets, activity toys, and games — you must ensure compliance with the relevant parts of EN 71. This includes suppliers of children’s products, toy factories, and importers. Toys must meet mechanical, chemical, flammability, and labeling requirements before being placed on the market.
Access the Official EN 71 Standard
To comply properly and maintain audit-ready documentation, obtain the official, up-to-date version of EN 71. Use the listing below to view or purchase the standard legally:
FAQ: EN 71 – Toy Safety Standard
What does EN 71 cover?
EN 71 covers mechanical & physical safety, flammability, chemical content/migration, labeling, and special rules depending on toy type (paints, chemical sets, activity toys, trampolines, etc.).
Is EN 71 mandatory for toys sold in the EU?
Yes — compliance with the relevant parts of EN 71 is required to meet the EU Toy Safety Directive and legally place toys on the EU market with CE marking.
What happens if a toy fails EN 71 tests?
The toy cannot be legally sold as compliant, may be banned from the EU market, and the manufacturer/importer may face liability and recall requirements.
Do I need to buy the standard document?
Yes. Only official EN 71 documents are valid for compliance audits and legal certification. Summaries are useful for guidance, but you need the licensed standard for CE marking and compliance proof.