Standard: EN 71-1:2026 – Safety of Toys – Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties
Status: published by CEN on Feb 2026
Supersedes: EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published EN 71-1:2026, a comprehensive revision of the mechanical and physical safety requirements for toys placed on the European market. This updated edition replaces EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 and introduces several important technical clarifications, new test methods, and additional safety requirements.
Note: At the time of publication, EN 71-1:2026 has not yet been cited in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Harmonisation status should be monitored closely.
Summary of Key Changes in EN 71-1:2026
- Expanding Materials (Clause 4.6)
The requirements for expanding materials have been revised and strengthened. Updated safety criteria apply to materials that swell or expand when exposed to liquids, with clearer assessment conditions to address associated ingestion and obstruction risks.
- Enclosures and Ventilation (Clause 4.14)
Ventilation requirements for toy enclosures have been updated and clarified.
Key changes include:
- More clearly defined ventilation provisions
- Introduction of new test methods to assess airflow and entrapment risks. These updates aim to better address suffocation hazards.
- Toys Intended to Bear the Mass of a Child (Clause 4.15)
Requirements for toys designed to support or bear a child’s weight have been updated. Enhanced structural and mechanical performance criteria apply to improve durability and reduce collapse or failure risks during use.
- Yo-yo Balls (Clause 4.24)
Clarification has been provided for yo-yo balls equipped with tethers. A yo-yo ball is now considered compliant with the requirement if the tether breaks during testing, provided other safety criteria are met.
- Food-Imitation Toys (Clause 4.28)
A new dedicated requirement has been introduced for toys that imitate food. These measures aim to reduce the risk of confusion with real food and mitigate choking or ingestion hazards.
- Toys Intended for Children Under 36 Months (Clause 5)
The scope of requirements for toys intended for children under 36 months has been expanded. The updated standard now explicitly includes glued wooden components, ensuring that bonded parts are adequately assessed for safety.
- Straps and Cords Worn Around the Neck (Clause 5.14)
A new functional requirement has been added for straps, cords, and similar components intended to be worn fully or partially around the neck.
The design must ensure that separated cord parts can be rejoined, improving safety and continued functionality.
- Warnings for Protective Equipment (Clause 7.14.2)
EN 71-1:2026 introduces a new option allowing the use of graphical symbols to indicate that protective equipment must be worn, as an alternative to text-based warnings. This provides greater flexibility while maintaining clear safety communication.
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