Toy safety is one of the most regulated product categories globally. Children are vulnerable users, and defects can cause choking, poisoning, or injury. This guide explains the three major toy safety standards and their testing requirements.
EN 71 (European Standard)
EN 71 has 14 parts covering:
Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties (small parts, sharp edges)
Part 2: Flammability
Part 3: Migration of certain elements (heavy metals)
Part 9-11: Organic chemical compounds (phthalates, etc.)
CE marking requires EN 71 testing by a notified body. Testing costs: $500-2,000 per SKU depending on complexity.
ASTM F963 (US Standard)
ASTM F963 covers similar areas to EN 71 but with US-specific requirements:
Small parts testing (different cylinder dimensions than EN 71)
Lead content limits (100 ppm since 2011)
Phthalate restrictions (6 types, not 3 like EU)
Labeling requirements (age grading, warnings)
ISO 8124 (International Standard)
ISO 8124 harmonizes EN 71 and ASTM F963 for global use. Many non-EU/non-US countries adopt ISO 8124 as their national standard. If you sell globally, ISO 8124 testing provides the broadest coverage.
Critical Toy Safety Tests
Small parts test (choking hazard for under-3 toys)
Tension/torque test (durability of attached parts)
Drop test (resistance to child-level impacts)
Chemical migration (lead, cadmium, phthalates)
Sound level test (hearing protection)