Toy testing according to EN 71: Evaluating ingredients, flammability, and product safety
Toys and baby products must meet the highest safety standards. Manufacturers, importers, and retailers face the challenge of identifying risks early on, complying with legal requirements, and at the same time meeting the requirements of online marketplaces such as Amazon.
In addition to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and the EN 71 series of standards, chemical safety assessments, CE conformity, and meaningful evidence of conformity are becoming increasingly important. Toy testing helps demonstrate product safety and ensures the successful marketing of children’s products.
Our analyses will help you:
Identify risks
early
Identify hazardous substances
and safety-related issues
Supporting Conformity Assessment
Establishing analytical foundations for EN 71
and other regulatory requirements
Amazon & Marketplace Compliance
Provide verifiable evidence for Amazon
and other platforms
Proving Quality with Confidence
Reliable test results for customers,
regulatory agencies, and internal quality assurance
Your Partner for Toy Safety and Amazon Compliance
Quality Analysis supports manufacturers, importers, and retailers with analytical and metrological testing to ensure toy safety. Tests include, for example, material composition and levels of hazardous substances in toys, baby products, and other children’s products. Our analyses also help ensure compliance with Amazon compliance requirements, product suspensions, and regulatory issues.
Material and harmful substance analysis
for Toys & Baby Products
- Supporting metrological tests and CT analyses to evaluate mechanical and physical characteristics in accordance with EN 71-1
- Testing of migration of certain elements as using ICP-OES in accordance with EN 71-3
- Testing for heavy metals and regulated elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic
- Specific analysis of Chromium III and Chromium VI
- Determination of Halogen content
- Analysis of the sum parameters TF, TOF, AOF and EOF to assess fluorine and organically bound fluorine contamination and to classify potential PFAS-relevant compounds
- Testing for Bisphenol A using HPLC
- Material identification, material analysis, and plastics inspection (plastics, additives, plasticizers, and fillers) using FTIR spectroscopy
- Testing of flammability in accordance with EN 71-2 via qualified partners
- Support for Amazon compliance requirements through analytical evidence, test reports, and root cause analyses in the event of complaints
The right testing method for every analysis
Optical emission spectroscopy with inductively coupled plasma
We use ICP-OES to determine heavy metals and other elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium III and VI. This method is used in particular for testing the migration of certain elements in accordance with EN 71-3 and is suitable for plastics, paints, varnishes, coatings, and other materials used in toys, baby products, and children’s products.
FTIR Spectroscopy
Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we identify plastics, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, and other materials based on their characteristic infrared spectra. This method is suitable for material verification, for identifying unknown substances, and for investigating contaminants and material deviations in toys, baby products, and children’s products.
Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)
We use combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to analyze halogen content. The determination of the Total fluorine content (TF) and the sum parameters TOF, AOF and EOF serve as important indicators of the possible presence of PFAS. The method is suitable for plastics, coatings, textiles, and other materials used in toys, baby products, and children’s products.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Using HPLC, we analyze and quantify non-volatile and heat-sensitive substances such as Bisphenol A and other relevant constituents, thereby supporting the assessment of chemical safety of toys and baby products.
Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Using GC-MS, we analyze volatile organic compounds such as plasticizers, solvents, specific VOCs , and other organic pollutants. The method is suitable both for material characterization and for root cause analyses in the event of complaints.
Thermogravimetric Analyses (TGA)
Thermogravimetry (TGA) analyzes the thermal decomposition behavior of materials under defined conditions. The method provides important information about material composition, filler content, additives, and thermal stability and is used in particular for plastics and composite materials.
Industrial Computed Tomography (ICT)
Using industrial computed tomography (ICT), we inspect toys and components non-destructively for internal structures, material defects , and manufacturing deviations.
The method is suitable for analyzing complex toys as well as for supporting the evaluation of mechanical and physical properties in accordance with EN 71-1. It provides high-resolution 3D data for quality control, complaint handling, and product optimization.
Tactile or Industrial Metrology
Using modern metrological methods, we test dimensions, geometries, and safety-related product characteristics of toys and baby products. These tests support the assessment of mechanical and physical requirements in accordance with EN 71-1 and serve to ensure quality assurance during development, production, and incoming goods inspection.
Contact us –
expert support is just a conversation away.
Using state-of-the-art analytical methods, we assist you with quality issues, damage claims, and development challenges – providing precise, well-founded, and solution-oriented support.
Frequently asked questions about Toy Safety
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the testing of toys and baby products.
Compliance with the EN 71 standard is verified through targeted testing of toys for their mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, as well as the migration of relevant substances.
The most critical heavy metals include lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium (VI). In addition, EN 71-3 limits the migration of other elements such as arsenic, antimony, barium, cobalt, and nickel to ensure the safety of toys for children and infants.
Depending on the product category, Amazon requires safety certificates, test reports, and documentation regarding product safety and compliance. Proof of compliance with the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and EN 71 is often required. We support companies in achieving Amazon compliance through targeted analyses, root cause assessments, and reliable test reports.
If Amazon requests a test report or additional safety documentation, the required documents must be complete and transparent. We support you with analytical testing, comprehensive test reports, and the evaluation of relevant material and hazardous substance parameters to serve as the basis for the required documentation.
