This question falls into a bit of a grey area, so it is difficult to answer your question without seeing the specific details of your product.
There are a few factors to consider when assessing whether a product like this is a toy or not. According to the Toy Safety Directive, a toy is defined as “Products designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age”. However, it is also important to consider how the product is packaged and marketed, the intended places of sale, the intended methods of sale and to whom the products will be sold.

For example, a product intended to be used by children under adult supervision in a classroom environment, which is sold only to teachers through educational supply chains would not normally be considered as a toy. However, if the same product was sold in toy shops, to children and marketed as a plaything only, then it could be considered as a toy.

To answer your other question, if a product is classified as a toy under the Toy Safety Directive then it must be EN 71 compliant. There are multiple parts to this standard, with EN 71-1 (physical properties and markings), EN 71-2 (flammability) and EN 71-3 (toxicity) being required as a minimum.

Last updated: 2021-07-05 15:07