GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 23, 2024 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 181.24 to keep stakeholders up to date with recent changes to toy safety standards in Europe.

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 on December 4, 2024. Superseding EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021, this is the new toy safety standard for the migration of 19 elements. It will be given the status of a national standard by June 2025, by which time all conflicting national standards are to be withdrawn.

Important changes include:

• Introducing the following documents as part of the EN 71 series of standards on toy safety:

1. EN 71-15 ‘Formamide in foam toy materials (content)
2. EN 71-16 ‘Certain chlorinated phosphorus flame retardants (TCEP, TCPP, TDCP) in toy materials
3. EN 71-17 ‘Certain isothiazolinones (MIT, CIT, BIT) in aqueous toy materials
4. EN 71-18 ‘Phenol in aqueous (content) and polymeric (migration) toy materials
5. EN 71-19 ‘Migration of bisphenol A from toy materials’

• Indicating the use of CEN/TS 17973:2023 ‘Safety of toys - Categorization of slime type materials’, a technical specification document to support the categorization of products with slime-like properties into category 1 (dry-brittle, powder-like or pliable) or category 2 (liquid or sticky) toy materials
• Stressing that test portions must not be composed of more than one toy material, unless discreet specimens cannot be physically separated, such as dot printing, patterned textiles and multi-colored printed surfaces
• Omitting slime as an example of a category II toy material
• Removing the dewaxing step as part of the sampling procedure as it, inter alia, was often unclear whether to apply this approach and experience has shown that the use of this step significantly affected the reproducibility of test results
• Emphasizing that the analysis of composite testing is not described and cannot be used without modifying the test methods. This approach can be useful for raw material checks as well as screening purposes or pre-test of materials   
• Detailing the rationale for the presumption of material compliance with both chromium (III) and chromium (VI) when determining total chromium migration
• Providing a rationale for the determination of tin in migration solutions on the presence of certain tin compounds

The standard is expected to be harmonized under Directive 2009/48/EC on toy safety upon official acceptance by the European Commission and by publication in the Official Journal of the EU (OJEU).

SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to keep stakeholders informed about regulatory and market changes that may impact their business. Forward-thinking businesses are advised to subscribe to receive free SGS SafeGuardS direct to their inbox.

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services

SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s 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. After all, 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 CEN Issues EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 ‘Migration of Certain Elements’ SafeGuardS.

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For further information contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: +852 2774 7420

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

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