EU Harmonizes Toy Standards EN 71-1, EN 71-3 and EN 71-14

March 31, 2015 - PRLog -- Amended Toy Safety Standards in EU

In the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 2015/C 087/02 dated 13 March 2015 (1) the new amendments to EN 71-1 and EN 71-3 have been harmonized. In addition the new standard EN 71-14 on trampolines has been harmonized for the first time. Only harmonized standards can be used to show compliance with the EU Toy Directive 2009/48/EC. The amendments will come into force after 29 February 2016. The new standard EN 71-14 is in force from the date of publication in the OJEU.

Trampoline Safety Standards

New EN 71-14 Standard on Trampolines

The new EN 71-14 trampoline standard (2) was published by CEN in October 2014. Now that this standard is harmonized, there is no longer a need to perform EC-type examinations on trampolines within the scope of the EN 71-14 standard. The standard applies to trampolines for domestic use, intended to be used indoor or outdoor above ground level by one person. Trampolines for professional, fitness and medical use, and use in public playgrounds are excluded. The standard also does not apply to some specific trampolines like inclined, inflatable, buried at ground level and trampolines with additional features, e.g. tents, basketball hoops.

Different categories have been identified: mini, medium and large trampolines. These are summarized in a table within the latest SafeGuards bulletin (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-04915-eu-harmonises-toy-standards-en-71-1-en-71-3-a4-en-15.pdf). Physical, durability, impact resistance, strength and stability requirements have been set.

Amendments to EN 71-1 and EN 71-3

Changes to EN 71-1, Physical and Mechanical Properties

The EN 71-1:2014 revision (3) is an administrative revision. The revision was needed to comply with CEN rules and contains only one technical change: a 6 mm tolerance was added to the self-retraction cord measurement (clause 5.4.e).

Changes to EN 71-3 +A1, Migration of Certain Elements

The A1 amendment (4) was a fast track change to provide further details on:

- pH control and adjustment

- importance of ensuring test portion is wetted and remains dispersed during agitation

- means of agitation

A normal CEN revision process is in preparation to include further method improvements.

References:

1) Amendments to EN 71-1 and EN 71-3 harmonized, Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) 2015/C 087/02 dated 13 March 2015 (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:JOC_2015_087_R_0002&from=EN)

2) SGS Safeguards bulletin # 181/14, October 2014 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-18114-cen-approves-toy-fpren-71-142014-domestic-use-a4-en-14.pdf)

3) SGS Safeguards bulletin # 212/14, December 2014 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-21214-administrative-revision-en-71-12014%20published-a4%20-en-14.pdf)

4) SGS Safeguards bulletin # 196/14, November 2014 (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-19614-cen-en-71-3-migration-certain-elements-a4-en-14.pdf)

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Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services

Sanda Stefanovic
Senior Toy Expert
SGS Netherlands BV

t +31 181 694517
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/toys

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