Updated Toy Flammability Standard Released in Europe

Suppliers of toys to
European Union (EU) markets should be aware that an updated toy flammability
standard – EN 71-2:2020 – has been published. The update follows an unfortunate
accident in the United Kingdom involving a child’s Halloween fancy dress.

Issued on December
9, 2020, the new standard applies to all toys offered onto the market in the
EU. It also sets out specific requirements relating to certain toy types:

  • Toys worn on the head:
    1. Beards, moustaches, wigs, etc. made from pile or flowing elements
    2. Masks
    3. Hoods, headdresses, etc.
  • Toy disguise costumes and toys intended
    to be worn by a child in play
  • Toys intended to be entered by a child
    and constructed from textiles and/or polymer sheets and films
  • Soft-filled toys

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Stakeholders should be aware it does not apply to
paper and paperboard hats without embellishments or attachments.

The primary
changes brought in by the new standard include:

  • New
    definition of disguise costume
  • Disguise
    costumes must now to be tested before and after washing (applies even if the
    instructions state not to wash)
  • Sample
    preparation method has been changed – now allowing smaller and narrower pieces
    to be tested and clarifying that seams and fillings should be included in the
    testing
  • Test
    methods have been better detailed
  • The
    guidance on how to classify toys has been transferred from TR 15371-1. The
    guidance clarifies which requirements in EN 71-2 related to clauses 4.1 to
    4.2.5 apply to certain toys

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The updated
standard supersedes EN 71-2:2011 +A1:2014. It is not currently harmonized and
only once it has been accepted by the EU Commission and Member States
by publication in the Official Journal of the EU
(OJEU) can it be used to show compliance to the EU Toy Directive 2009/48/EC

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services

SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with
relevant standards for toys and childcare articles and equipment. They provide
consulting, training, product development, testing, audit, and inspection
services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide,
demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the
market. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the
latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Revised
European Toy Standard EN 71-2: 2020 Published
SafeGuardS.

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For further information contact:

Sanda Stefanovic
Toys Expert
Tel: +31882144617

Email: crs.media@sgs.com

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and
certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality
and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over
2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

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