Gifts / Sports & Toys

There will be many updates to toy regulations in 2021. Let's review some of the updates to toy safety regulations during this period. We hope that colleagues who are still working in the toy industry can always remain vigilant and must be prepared for the updates of laws and regulations.

1. EN 71-2 burning test standard update

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) released the standard EN 71-2: 2020 version on December 9, 2020. All members of CEN must publish their national standards before June 30, 2021. The current version EN 71-2:2011+A1:2014 can still comply with the EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The new version is expected to replace the current version of EN71-2:2011+A1:2014 in December of this year;

2. EN 71-3: 2019+A1: 2021

On April 14, 2021, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) released a revised version of the toy safety standard EN 71-3, which is EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 "Toy Safety Part 3: Migration of Specific Elements". This standard will be given the status of a national standard of CEN member states, and conflicting national standards will be replaced by October 31, 2021 at the latest. The standard is expected to be approved by the European Commission soon, and after being published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), it will be listed as a harmonized standard under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The corresponding effective harmonized standard is still EN 71-3:2019.

3. EN IEC62115 update

On May 31, 2021, the European Commission issued an Implementation Resolution (EU) 2021/867 to update the harmonized standards referenced by the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The update involves three toy standards, EN 71-7, EN 71-12 and ENIEC 62115.

From the date of publication (from May 31, 2021):

EN IEC 62115:2020 and its amendment EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020 "Safety of Electrical Toys" will be listed as a harmonized standard of the Toy Safety Directive. The previous version, EN 62115:2005 and related amendments, will be withdrawn on February 21, 2022.

4. Update of EN71-7 and EN 71-12

EN71-7:2014+A3:2020 "Toy Safety-Part 7: Finger Paints-Requirements and Test Methods" will be listed as the harmonized standard of the Toy Safety Directive. The previous version EN 71-7:2014+A2:2018 will be withdrawn on November 28, 2021;

EN 71-12:2016 "Toy Safety-Part 12: N-nitrosamines and N-nitroso compounds" will be listed as a harmonized standard of the Toy Safety Directive. The previous version EN 71-12:2013 will be withdrawn on November 28, 2021;

*Note: The limit in point a of Table 2 in Article 4.2 of Standard EN 71-12:2016 (that is, the limit for elastomer toys that are intended to be used by children under 36 months and that are intended or may be put in the mouth) It is lower than the compliance limit specified in point 8 of Part III of Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. These limits are as follows:

European Commission Approves Directive (EU) 2021/903

On June 4, 2021, the European Commission approved Commission Directive (EU) 2021/903, amending the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, setting limits on aniline in certain toy materials. Member states will implement these limits from December 5, 2022.

The aniline limit will be added to Appendix C of Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive, which stipulates the requirements for hazardous chemical substances in toys used by children under 36 months or other toys intended to be put in the mouth. The specific limits of aniline are as follows:

5. SVHC updated to 219 types

On July 8, 2021, the European Automobile Agency (EC) announced the 25th update of the REACH 2 candidate list, adding eight new substances of very high concern (SVHC) to the candidate list. So far, SVHC has reached 219 substances.

6. Australian toy standard AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2021

The Australian Standards Committee issued a new version of AS/NZS ISO 8124.3:2021 "Toy Safety-Part 3: Migration of Specific Elements" on February 12, 2021. This standard was developed by the Joint Technical Committee CS-018 Children’s Toy Safety Group. Approved by the Australian Standards Committee on January 19, 2021, and approved by the New Zealand Standards Approval Committee on December 16, 2020. This standard replaces the AS/NZS 8124.3:2012 and AS/NZS ISO8124.3:2012 Amd 1:2016 amendments, and is equivalent to the adoption of ISO8124-3:2020 Toy Safety-Part 3: Migration of specific elements.

7. The U.S. publishes direct final regulations on the revision of safety standards for infant swings

On January 19, 2021, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the direct final regulation (16CFR 1223) on the revision of the safety standards for infant swings. This regulation should take effect on April 3, 2021, unless the CPSC receives a major negative opinion before February 18, 2021.

From April 3, 2021, baby swings should meet all applicable requirements of ASTM F2088-20 "Consumer Safety Standard Specification for Infant and Toddler Cradle Swings".

8. Massachusetts, USA restricts flame retardants in consumer products

On January 1, 2021, the Governor of Massachusetts signed Act H4900 to regulate 11 flame retardants in five categories of consumer products (bedding, carpets, children's products, residential upholstered furniture, and windows). The Act adds a new section 28 to Chapter 21A of the General Law, which stipulates the limit on the content of flame retardants in the list, that is, the content in any component of the product does not exceed 1,000 ppm.

9. Israel issued safety standards for cribs and crib guardrails

On January 5, 2021, Israel issued TBT Circular No. G/TBT/N/ISR/1181, issuing "Children's Furniture: Mattresses for Strollers and Similar Household Products" (SI 1548 Part 2) and "Children's Furniture: Children Textile Care Products-Baby Bed Guardrail-Safety Requirements and Test Methods" (SI 1548 Part 3) two standards, replacing the old version of SI 1548 Part 2.

10. Update on flame retardants in the U.S.

The State of Delaware (HB 77) in the United States, starting from July 1, 2021, will target TBB, antimony, TBPH, SCCP, Deca-BDE, HBCD, TBBPA, TDCPP, TCEP and TCPP limits are both ≤0.1%

A mixture containing one or more of the above flame retardants ≤0.1%