Updated Toy Flammability Standard Released in Europe

A look at the changes brought in by the EU’s new, updated toy flammability standard – EN 71-2:2020. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 07, 2021 - 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:
o Beards, moustaches, wigs, etc. made from pile or flowing elements
o Masks
o 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

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

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. [www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/toys-and-juvenile-products

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. [https://www.sgs.com/en/news/2020/12/safeguards-18420-revised-european-toy-standard-en-71-2-2020-published]

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Sanda Stefanovic
Toys Expert
Tel: +31882144617
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot 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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