BS EN 71-1:2011+A3:2014 was developed to underpin the new EU Directive on Toy Safety (which came into force in 2011) and, in most instances, toys that fail to meet its requirements may not be placed on the market. If toys don’t comply, they can be removed from sale and manufacturers face prosecution and possible imprisonment.
BS EN 71-1 Matters to consumers because unsafe toys could put millions of UK children at risk of accident, injury or even death, so it’s vital that toys meet the very highest safety standards
- Manufacturers and importers face new obligations to ensure that no unsafe toys enter the market
- From July 2013, the accessible parts of toys must no longer contain certain heavy metals such as lead, or chemicals that could provoke cancer, change genetic information or harm reproduction (known as CMR substances)
- Fragrances that are likely to cause allergies are also forbidden from July 2013
All toys on sale in the UK must carry the CE mark. This shows that the manufacturer has declared that the toy meets the requirements of the European Directive and is intended for sale in the European Community.
BS EN 71-1 deals with the mechanical and physical aspects of toys. BS EN 71-1 2011 +A3 includes A1 Warnings, A2 Acoustics and A3 Toy Books.
The 14-part BS EN 71 series covers every possible aspect of toy safety, from flammability to toxicity of materials to their potential to trap clothing or injure a child’s body.
Members of CW/15 committee for Toy Safety which includes:
LGC – Laboratory of the Government Chemist
BIS – Dept for Business Innovation & Skills
Baby Products Association
BTHA
British Coatings Federation
Assocation of consulting scientists
British Toymakers Guild
British Measurement & Testing Ass.
Trading Standards
Toy Retailers Ass.
And several individual technical experts
