Toys in the European Union are regulated by the Toy Directive 2009/48/EC. Manufacturers can produce toys in accordance with the relevant harmonised standard to ensure compliance with the directive. The key series of standards on toy safety is EN 71. Among them, EN 71-3 specifies safety limits of chemical elements migration that can pose a serious risk to children’s health.
What is the DIN EN 71-3 standard?
The EN 71-3 standard is one of the key documents regulating toy safety in the European Union. It specifies the permitted levels of migration of 19 chemical elements from materials used in toys that can pose a risk to children’s health.
Although its application is non-compulsory for manufacturers/importers placing toys on the EU market, they generally use these standards to prove compliance with the EU directive.
As testing methods develop and limits change, standards are updated accordingly. If you source toys to the EU, stay up to date.
DIN EN 71-3 – complete list of controlled elements
The document specifies requirements and test methods for the migration of aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, boron, cadmium, chromium (III), chromium (VI), cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, strontium, inorganic tin, organic tin, and zinc from toy materials and toy parts.
Packaging materials are not considered to be part of a toy unless they are also designed for play.
Chemicals in toys – types of materials according to DIN EN 71-3
Toys are made of different types of materials; therefore, they are tested differently. EN 71-3 standard contains requirements for the migration of certain elements from the following categories of toy materials:
- Category I:
- Dry, brittle, powder-like like or pliable materials;
- Examples: crayons, chalk, powders, plastic masses
- Category II:
- Liquid or sticky materials;
- Examples: paints, gels, adhesives, varnishes
- Category III:
- Scraped-off materials. materials
- Examples: metal coatings, scratchable paints
Limits of chemical elements in toys
Below, we present the limits of the content of specific elements in toys. They were established based on many years of toxicological studies, taking into account different ways of exposure to hazards.
| Element | Symbol | Category I | Category II | Category III |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Al | 5600 mg/kg | 1400 mg/kg | 70000 mg/kg |
| Antimony | Sb | 60 mg/kg | 11 mg/kg | 560 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | As | 25 mg/kg | 3,8 mg/kg | 47 mg/kg |
| Barium | Ba | 1000 mg/kg | 375 mg/kg | 4600 mg/kg |
| Boron | B | 1500 mg/kg | 375 mg/kg | 15000 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Cd | 17 mg/kg | 1,9 mg/kg | 23 mg/kg |
| Chromium (III) | Cr III | 460 mg/kg | 94 mg/kg | 4600 mg/kg |
| Chromium (VI) | Cr VI | 0,02 mg/kg | 0,005 mg/kg | 0,2 mg/kg |
| Cobalt | Co | 130 mg/kg | 19 mg/kg | 1300 mg/kg |
| Copper | Cu | 770 mg/kg | 120 mg/kg | 7700 mg/kg |
| Lead | Pb | 160 mg/kg | 13 mg/kg | 560 mg/kg |
| Manganese | Mn | 1200 mg/kg | 300 mg/kg | 12000 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Hg | 7,5 mg/kg | 1,9 mg/kg | 94 mg/kg |
| Nickel | Ni | 460 mg/kg | 75 mg/kg | 4600 mg/kg |
| Selenium | Se | 500 mg/kg | 37 mg/kg | 1600 mg/kg |
| Strontium | Sr | 5600 mg/kg | 1400 mg/kg | 56000 mg/kg |
| Tin (inorganic) | Sn | 18000 mg/kg | 4600 mg/kg | 180000 mg/kg |
| Organic Tin | – | 12 mg/kg | 3,0 mg/kg | 47 mg/kg |
| Zinc | Zn | 4600 mg/kg | 1100 mg/kg | 46000 mg/kg |
Does DIN EN 71-3 apply to all toys?
The requirements of DIN EN 71-3 do not apply to toys or parts of toys that, due to their accessibility, function, volume or mass, clearly exclude any hazard resulting from sucking, licking or swallowing or prolonged contact with the skin when the toy or part of a toy is used as intended or in a foreseeable manner, taking into account the behaviour of children.
For the purposes of the EN 71-3 standard, for the following toys and parts of toys, the likelihood of sucking, licking or swallowing toys is considered significant:
- All toys intended to be put in the mouth or to the mouth, cosmetic toys, and writing instruments categorized as toys can be considered to be sucked, licked, or swallowed;
- All the accessible parts and components of toys intended for children up to 6 years of age can be considered to come into contact with the mouth. The likelihood of mouth contact with parts of toys intended for older children is not considered significant in most cases.
How to source toys with success?
We have talked to many importers, and when it comes to the most common compliance issues, they say it is mostly because of incorrect material selection or changes in the supply chain.
Choosing a reliable manufacturer (always verify your supplier!) and signing a commercial contract are key to protecting your sourcing business. Factory inspection allows you to detect potential problems at an early stage, which significantly reduces the costs of any changes. With quality checks and pre-loading inspection in China, you can make sure that everything is in order before shipping.
EN 71-3 in brief
The DIN EN 71-3 standard is one of the important elements of the EU toy safety system. Toy manufacturers and importers should regularly monitor changes in regulations to meet market requirements.
To find out which requirements and standards your product must meet, get a comprehensive product analysis. The customized product compliance requirements list will include a list of relevant certificates, marking rules ,and other formalities you need to fulfill. Order a professional and comprehensive product compliance requirements list of your product now.