Limits for Lead under EN71-3 to be Revised
If you're a manufacturer or retailer of children's toys, or items that could be construed as a child's toy, in the European Union (EU), then the following change in legislation applies to your business.
What is the Toy Safety Directive?
The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC is the European legislation regarding the safety of toys; by which “toys” are any product or material designed or intended whether or not exclusively for use in play by children under 14 years of age.
What has changed in the Toy Safety Directive?
Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive applies specific limit values for heavy metals and organic tin in materials used in toys. The limit values for lead used in toy manufacture have been amended under EN71-3 and are split into 3 categories:
Category I: Dry, Brittle, Powder-like or pliable material
- Revised Limit: 2.0 mg/kg | Current Limit: 13.5 mg/kg
Category II: Liquid or Sticky material
- Revised Limit: 0.5 mg/kg | Current Limit: 3.4 mg/kg
Category III: Scraped-off material
- Revised Limit: 23 mg/kg | Current Limit: 160 mg/kg
How will this affect your business?
These new lead limits will apply from 28th October 2018, so if you are a toy manufacturer or toy retailer in the EU, you need to ensure your toys comply with this change in legislation. This legislation also applies if you are importing toys from outside the EU.
At BLC, we advise that all retailers and manufacturers carry out their own due diligence. Even if your toys might be tested at source outside the EU, you need to be sure that the assurance you are given is in fact accurate. Therefore, we recommend that you test your toys against the Toy Safety Directive (EN71) for:
- Lead and other heavy metal content
- Phthalates
- Any other harmful substances under the EU REACH regulation
BLC offers a full range of chemical testing services including a complete EN71-3 screen and lead and phthalates testing to REACH and to the CPSCIA requirements.
Receive advanced legislation support through BLC Membership
At BLC, we guide our members through complex legislation, making the process of understanding and complying with international regulations, simple and staright forward. BLC Members receive a 30% discount on all testing and problem solving services, which comes in handy for that due diligence process.
View our full range of BLC Membership Benefits today.
Discover More
A view to the future: How is EN71-3 affecting other products?
It should be noted that, although EN71-3 is currently a toy safety directive, is fast becoming the standard to be used for heavy metal safety and assurance for consumer products including:
- Leathergoods
- Footwear
- Jewellery
- Similar products
Talk to BLC
For further information on toy testing, supply chain support or guidance on EU and international legislations regarding EN71-3 please contact BLC via [email protected] or talk to us on +44 (0) 1604 679999.
19 May 2017