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►TOYS

►CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS

►CHEMICAL

►ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC

►HARDLINES

►SOFTLINES

►REGULATIONS OF DIFFERENT     COUNTRIES

In-depth Explanation on EN 71-1:2005 + A9:2009 Safety of Toys, Mechanical and Physical Properties

REQUIREMENTS FOR BOTH THE AGE GROUPS: 0 – 3 YEARS  &  3 YEARS AND UP (i.e. ALL AGES)

1.   ASSEMBLED TOYS

If a toy is intended to be assembled by adult, any applicable requirements in EN 71-1 apply to the toys in assembled stage only (and not to that in the un-assembled stage), provided that there are:   

-          detailed assembly instructions

-          an statement in packaging stating that the toy should be assembled by adult/checked by adult (see below for an example)

“This toy is intended to be assembled by adult”

2.       FLEXIBLE PLASTIC SHEETING

Sheets (e.g. apron) without backing and of an area greater than 100 mm x 100 mm shall have an average thickness of 0.038mm or more

3.       TOY BAGS

Toy bags with an opening perimeter greater than 380 mm having a drawstring shall either:

-          Be made of material permeable to air; or

-     have a total ventilation area of 1300 mm² minimum through at least 2 holes at least 150 mm apart or through and equivalent single ventilation area

Dimensions in millimeters

Key

1.       Total ventilation area, 1300 mm² or more

2.       Alternative equivalent ventilation area, 1300 mm² or more

Examples of ventilation areas for toy bags

4.   GLASS (age group of 3 years and up)

Accessible glass shall only be used in either of the following conditions:

-     Necessary to function

-     Textile glass for reinforcement

-     Solid glass marbles

-     Solid glass eyes for dolls

5.   EDGES

-     The toys shall not have hazardous sharp edge (for metal and glass only)

-     The toys shall be free from hazardous burr (for metal and plastic)

-     For toys intended for children of 3 years and up, if functional sharp edges exist (e.g. blade of pencil sharpener), warning is needed (see below for an example)

“This toy contains functional sharp edges”

6.   POINTS                                                                                       

-     The toys shall not have hazardous sharp edge (for all material)

-     For toys intended for children of 3 years and up, if functional sharp points exist (e.g. needle of sewing machine), warning is needed (see below for an example)

“This toy contains functional sharp points”

7.   PROTRUDING PARTS

-     Hazardous projection shall be protected

-     The protection shall be capable of withstanding a tension of 60 N (13.5 lb)

8.   DRIVING MECHANISMS

-     Hazardous driving mechanism (e.g. gear box) shall not become accessible or produces sharp point/edge after drop and impact tests

9. WINDING KEYS

-          Clearance between winding key and toy body shall either be less than 5 mm or greater than 12 mm

-          Any holes in keys or handles shall not premit the insertion of a 5 mm diameter rod

10. FOLDING AND SLIDING MECHANISMS

11. HINGES

-          If either one hinge arrangement has a mass less than 250 g, hinge clearances shall not be evaluated

-          If both hinge arrangements have masses more than 250 g, hinge clearances shall be evaluated, as follows:

Clearance < 5 mm :  PASS

Clearance between 5 – 12 mm :  FAIL

Clearance > 12 mm :  PASS

12.  MOUTH ACTUATED TOYS (e.g. whistle)

-     The toys shall not be small parts in as-received stages, even they are intended for children 3 years and up

-          If the mouthpiece (e.g. mouthpiece of a flute) is a small part, it shall not become loose before and after soaking, torque and tension tests 

-          If a toy contains loose object (e.g. sphere in whistle) which is a small part, it shall not be released after blowing and sucking test (30 cycles).

13.  TOYS WHICH A CHILD CAN ENTER              

-     The toys (if volume > 0.03 m³) shall provide 2 ventilation holes, each > 650 mm² and situated at least 150mm apart

-          It shall be possible to open the door from inside using a force < 50 N (11.2 lb)

-          The total ventilation area shall be provided when the toys are placed, in any position, adjacent to a corner of a room

14. MASKS AND HELMETS

Masks and helmets that fully enclose the head and which are made of impermeable material shall provide a total ventilation area of 1300 mm² minimum through at least 2 holes at least 150 mm apart or through any equivalent single ventilation area

15. RIGID TOYS THAT COVER THE FACE (e.g. goggles, face shields)

There shall not be sharp point, sharp edge, or loose part after torque, tension, drop, impact and compression tests   

16. TOYS INTENDED TO BEAR THE MASS OF A CHILD (e.g. chairs, skateboards, rocking horses…etc)

Please see below for an example for the testing of a tricycle (where the hands or feet provide the motive power)

17. TOY SCOOTERS

-          Definition of a toy scooter: free-wheeling toy scooter which is propelled by the muscular action of the user and may be foldable or not, intended for children with a body mass of 50 kg or less

-          Toy scooters are further sub-divided into 2 categories:

i)  those intended for children with a body mass of 20 kg or less,

ii) those intended for children with a body mass of 50 kg or less,

-          The handles on toy scooters should have an end with a diameter of 40 mm or more

-          The diameter of the front wheel(s) on toy scooters should be 120 mm or greater

-          Braking system:

Toy scooters intended for children with a body mass of 20 kg or less

No braking system is required.

Toy scooters intended for children with a body mass of 50 kg or less

There should be at least one braking system operating on the rear wheel.

The braking system should comply with the requirements of brake performance specified in EN 71 Part 1.

-          Strength of toy scooter steering tubes:

                              Loading test in downward direction to steering tubes

                              A total of 100 kg dead-weight(s) is/are loaded to the handle(s)

                              Loading test in upward direction to steering tubes

                              A total of 50 kg dead-weight(s) is/are loaded to the handle(s)

After loading tests,

i)                     steering tubes should not collapse which results in failure to comply with EN 71 Part 1;

ii)                   steering tubes should not separate into 2 or more parts;

iii)                  locking devices should not fail or disengage

Key

1.        Dead-weight

2.       Podium

Test of steering tubes

-          Loading tests for static strength:

Toy scooters intended for children with a body mass of 20 kg or less

Toy scooters should be loaded with a dead-weight of 50 kg. After test, the following should not exist:

i)           sharp point

ii)         sharp edge

iii)        accessible hazardous driving mechanism

iv)        collapse which results in failure to comply with EN 71 Part 1

Toy scooters intended for children with a body mass of 50 kg or less

Toy scooters should be loaded with a dead-weight of 100 kg. After test, the following should not exist:

i)           sharp point

ii)         sharp edge

iii)        accessible hazardous driving mechanism

iv)        collapse which results in failure to comply with EN 71 Part 1

Key

1. Dead-weight, 50 kg or 100kg, where appropriate

Static strength test for toy scooters

-          Dynamic strength test:

Toy scooters should be tested for dynamic strength. After test, the following should not exist:

i)               sharp point

ii)              sharp edge

iii)            accessible hazardous driving mechanism

iv)             collapse which results in failure to comply with EN 71 Part 1

Dead-weight for toys            Dead-weight for toys

intended for children             labeled as not suitable for

of over 36 months                children of over 36 months

Dimensions in millimeters

Key

1.        Centre of gravity

2.        Spherical joint

3.        1-way joint

4.        2-way joint

5.        Clamp

6.        Articulated arms

7.        Cushion with straps (removable)

18. Heavy Immobile toys

-          Heavy Immobile toys are defined as toys with masses > 4.5 kg

-          When placed on a 5^o inclined plane, the toys shall not tip over

19. PROJECTILE TOYS (e.g. toy guns, arrows…etc)

General requirements        

-          All rigid projectiles shall have tip radiuses of not less than 2 mm

-          Resilient materials used as impact surfaces shall not become detached when subjected to a force of 60 N (13.5 lb) 

-          Projectiles with a suction cup as impact area shall have a length of 57 mm or more, with its suction cup on a flat surface under a force that is produced by its own weight

                                                                  Measurement of length of bullets with suction cups

Dimensions in millimeters

Projectile toys without stored energy (i.e. controlled by the child)

-     Darts shall have blunted points or points that are protected by resilient material (e.g. rubber) whose area shall be > 3 cm²

-     Helicopter rotors (vertically powered) shall have rings around the perimeters 

Projectile toys with stored energy (i.e. controlled by the toy)

-     Kinetic energy shall be < 0.08 J (for toys without resilient impact surface)

-     Kinetic energy shall be < 0.5 J (for toys with resilient impact surfaces, e.g. rubber)

-     Relevant warning is required in either one of the following 2 cases:

i)                     The toy can discharge an object other than that provided with the toy (the warning shall draw attention to the hazards of using missiles other than those supplied or recommended by the manufacturer)

ii)                   If the kinetic energy is > 0.08 J, the following warning is needed:

“Warning! Do not aim at eyes or faces.”

20. AQUATIC TOYS

-     Stopper shall be permanently attached

-     Stopper shall stands < 5 mm from the surface of toy when being pushed into the toy

-     If the stopper is a small part, it shall not become detached after torque/tension tests, even the toy is intended for children over 3 years

-          The following warning shall be put:

“Warning! Only to be used in water in which the child is within its depth and under supervision.”

Remark: The warning needs to be put on BOTH the toy and packaging, and shall be no more than 100 mm from one of the air inflation inlets. Its height shall be 3 mm minimum

21. ACOUSTICS

-          The requirements apply to toys which are manifestly designed to emit sound only

-          The following Table shows the acoustic requirements in EN 71-1:2005 + A1:2007

 sound  

-          If the Peak emission sound pressure levels are > 110 dB(C), the following warning is needed:

“Warning! Do not use close to the ear! Misuse may cause damage to hearing.”

“Do not fire indoors” (for toys using percussion caps)

Please see below for reference:

                                                Approx. sound pressure levels

A quiet office                                        65 – 75 dB(C)

        An office with speaking noises                       85 – 105 dB(C)

        A road with noisy traffics                               100 – 120 dB(C)

        A construction site with piling machines          135 – 145 dB(C)

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