Toy Safety Declaration

Toys must comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 in the UK. Even if you work from home and produce toys on a small scale, they still need to conform.

If you think you are making toys and you intend to sell these, then you must make sure that your product meets the essential safety requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011.

What is a toy?

Toys are defined as products that are designed or intended (whether or not exclusively), for use in play for children under 14 years of age.

Exemptions

There are a number of items which may appear to be toys but that are exempt from the regulations. These include :

• Christmas Decorations.
• Detailed scale models for adult collectors.
• Folk and decorative dolls for adult collections.
• Specialist puzzles with more than 500 pieces.
• Toy steam engines.
• Children’s fashion jewellery.

Producers Responsibility

Producers must draw up the following documents and carry out safety and conformity assessments to comply :

• An European Community (EC) Declaration of Conformity.
• Technical documentation.

EC Declaration of Conformity Example

PDF, 49.2kb, new windowTrading Standards EC Declaration of Conformity Example.

EC Declaration of Conformity Template

Word, 49.2kb, new windowEC Declaration of Conformity.

These documents must be kept for ten years after the day on which the toy is placed on the market.

Technical Documentation

Technical documentation must contain the following :

• A detailed description of the design and manufacture. It must include a list of components and materials used in the toy, as well as the safety data sheets on chemicals use (if applicable).


• A safety assessment - Such as the PDF, 54.5kb, new windowTrading Standards Safety Assessment Example.


• A description ofthe conformity assessment procedure that was followed. For example a full safety testing to EN71 or risk assessment based.


• A copy of the EC declaration of conformity.


• The address of the places of manufacture and storage.


• Copies of documents given to a notified body - if they were involved.


• Test reports and description of how the Producers has conformed to production with the harmonised standards - If the Producer followed the internal production control procedure.


• A copy of the EC-type examination certificate (if applicable).

Three Key Properties for Toy Safety

There are three key properties that toys must meet to be safe. They are :

1. Physical and mechanical properties :

   Toys must have strength and stability.

   There should be no sharp edges, spikes or points.

   Any risk of injury from moving parts must be minimal.

   Parts should not be detachable from the toy unless they are of a size that will prevent them from being swallowed.

   The toy AND its packaging must not present a strangulation or suffocation risk.

   Toys which children can enter must have an easily accessible exit.

2. Flammability :

   Toys must not present a fire risk.

3. Chemical properties :

   Toys must be clean and hygienic.

   Toys must not present a health risk due to swallowing poisons. For example lead, cadmium and other heavy metals.

Recommendations

Hobbycraft recommends that you carry out regular screening checks of your finished toys to make sure that no risks are present. These checks could include labelling and that small parts are securely fixed. You should keep a record of any checks you carry out.

Finally, your toy must carry appropriate markings and warnings to reduce any risk. This is most important where a toy is unsuitable for a child under three years old. The following symbol is needed also :

All new toys should also carry :

• The European Conformity mark, which must be a minimum of five millimetres in size;
• your name; and
• a traceable address.

More Information

You can get more information and help from your Local Trading Standards Authority. You may also find the following useful :

• The British Toy and Hobby Association
• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy