European Committee for Standardization

Safety of toys - Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties
 N EN 71-1

Annotation

This European Standard specifies requirements and methods of tests for mechanical and physical properties of toys.

This European Standard applies to toys for children, toys being any product or material designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children of less than 14 years. It refers to new toys taking into account the period of foreseeable and normal use, and that the toys are used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the behaviour of children.

It includes specific requirements for toys intended for children under 36 months, children under 18 months and for children who are too young to sit up unaided. According to Directive 2009/48/EC "intended for use by" means that a parent or supervisor shall reasonably be able to assume by virtue of the functions, dimensions and characteristics of a toy that it is intended for use by children of the stated age group. Therefore, for the purpose of this European Standard, e.g. soft-filled toys with simple features intended for holding and cuddling are considered as toys intended for children under 36 months.

NOTE Information relating to the age grading of toys and, in particular, which toys are intended for children under 36 months and which toys are not, can be found in the CEN Report CR 14379, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Age determination guidelines, CEN/CENELEC Guide 11 and the European Commission's Guidance Documents.

This European Standard also specifies requirements for packaging, marking and labelling.

This European Standard does not cover musical instruments, sports equipment or similar items but does include their toy counterparts.