UK Proposes Updated Designated Standards for Toy Safety (EN 71)

Stakeholders can submit objections to the proposed publication via the Department’s designated standards mailbox, ahead of the proposed designation date.

What the Proposal Covers

In Great Britain, designated standards are a practical route to demonstrating that a toy meets the applicable essential safety requirements. Updates to designated references matter because they can drive changes in test programmes, technical files, supplier specifications, and declarations of conformity used across the toy supply chain.

The notice proposes amending the list of published standards previously set out in a prior notice, and it also proposes removing certain previously published references from designation at a later date.

Key Standards Being Updated

The proposal includes updates to the following EN 71 standards:

• EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 (Mechanical and Physical Properties), with a stated restriction for wave rollers in relation to the definition of “driving mechanism” and the specific requirements for that toy type
• EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 (Migration of Certain Elements)
• EN 71-13:2021+A2:2024 (Olfactory Board Games, Cosmetic Kits and Gustative Games)

The notice also indicates that the earlier references EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021 and EN 71-13:2021+A1:2022 would continue to confer a presumption of conformity until a removal date of 16 June 2027. This transition window is designed to give manufacturers and importers time to move to the newer editions.

What Manufacturers and Importers Should Do Now

Businesses placing toys on the GB market should map current test reports and technical documentation to the relevant EN 71 editions, then plan any necessary re-testing or documentation updates. Where a restriction limits presumption of conformity for a product type, companies should consider whether additional evidence is needed to demonstrate compliance with the essential safety requirements beyond relying on the standard alone.

Summary

The proposed update would refresh key EN 71 references used to support toy safety compliance in Great Britain, while allowing a transition period for certain superseded editions through June 2027. Companies that rely on EN 71 testing should review their conformity evidence now, so that documentation and testing remain aligned as the designated standards list evolves.