Toy Testing
The Importance of Toy Safety
The Toy Safety Regulations are intended to ensure that children playing with toys are exposed to as few risks as possible. Enforcement of the regulations (carried out by trading standards professionals) aims to identify those toys which do not comply with the legislation and remove them from the market.
Children are particularly vulnerable when playing, as they may choke on small parts, chew on toys and swallow/absorb chemicals and their awareness of many aspects of safety is limited (Tips on Toy Safety).
In the UK 95% of toys are imported from China. In recent years there have been a number of high profile product withdrawals of toys produced in China. Concern over the safety of imported toys and research into the toxic effects of chemicals (used, for example, in flexible plastics and colourful paints) have lead to a recent tightening of European law. The United States has also also moved quickly to bring in stricter controls.
Our role
Our role is to test toys sent or brought into the service (by manufacturers, retailers, importers or trading standards professionals) to ensure they comply with the current legislation. We also carry out surveys which may help to prompt further changes in legislation.
What are the Regulations?
The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 control the safety of children's toys.
And the Relevant Standards
The British Standard relevant to this type of product is BS EN 71, Safety of Toys.
This standard has a number of parts, each of which covers a particular type of toy or a particular safety aspect.
- Part 1: Mechanical and physical properties
- Part 2: Flammability
- Part 3: Migration of certain elements (antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury and selenium)
- Part 9: Organic Chemical Compounds – including formaldehyde and phthalates. These may be poisonous when licked, chewed or sucked.
What Tests are Available
Listed below is a selection of tests that we can carry out.
- Part 1: Small parts, tension test, drop test, tip over test, impact test, compression test, accessibility, sharp edges, sharp points, flexibility of wires, temperature rise, hemispherical shaped toys, suction cups, soaking test, expanding materials, geometric forms, small balls test, play figures, points and wires, filling materials.
- Part 2: Flammability
- Part 3: Migration of certain elements
- Part 9: including formaldehyde and phthalates
How do I go about sending in a sample?
You may like to have a discussion with a Public Analyst or a scientist about the suitability of the sample for testing, or about the costs involved. Please call or email either laboratory and we will be happy to help.
In February 2010 we will be carrying out a survey to look at formaldehyde levels in fabric children's toys.
Our Credentials
Staffordshire Scientific Services is an efficient and reliable scientific service offering testing and analysis, advice and support to customers in the public and private sector.
We have two Public Analysts, twenty well-qualified, experienced staff, based in our Stafford laboratory which is accredited to UKAS Quality Standard ISO/IEC 17025 and is an Official UK Food Enforcement Laboratory.
View UKAS accreditation schedule for Staffordshire.
Getting In Touch
Staffordshire Scientific Services
14 Martin Street
Stafford ST16 2LG
T: 01785 277 825 F: 01785 277 812Email: county.analysts@staffordshire.gov.uk
Staffordshire County Council website
