EU Toy Safety Testing and CE Certification

EU Toy Safety Standards and Regulations

Hohenstein's accredited labs test against toy safety standards and provide certification documentation required for market access.

Directive 2009/48/EC
Regulation (EU) 2025/2509

Directive 2009/48/EC

EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC

The EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC governs all toys marketed in the EU for children under 14. It replaced Directive 88/378/EEC in 2011 and remains the applicable framework until August 1, 2030.

General risks: health and safety of children, parents, caregivers, etc.
Particular risks: physical and mechanical, flammability, chemical, electrical, hygiene and radioactivity

Safety Requirements

EN 71 is the primary harmonized standard for toy safety
Compliance with EN 71 supports CE Marking under the Directive and covers mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical migration and other safety criteria
The EU General Product Safety Directive 2001/95/EC also applies

Chemical Requirements

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021

EC Type Examination and Declaration of Conformity

As a notified body, Hohenstein issues EC type examination certificates when directive requirements are met
EC Declaration of Conformity
Toy testing and certification for EU market access must be performed by a notified body

CE Marking Requirements/Packaging

All toys sold in the EU must carry a CE Mark. The mark confirms the toy was manufactured to harmonized European standards. CE Marks must be obtained through a notified body, like Hohenstein.

CE certification label (“Communauté Européenne” = European Community)
All toys in the EU must carry a CE Mark, obtained from a notified body, such as Hohenstein
Each toy or its packaging must be labeled with the CE label, which confirms that the toy has been manufactured in accordance with the harmonized European standards and meets the directive requirements
EU packaging regulation
Warning labels

Regulation (EU) 2025/2509

EU Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509

Published: December 12, 2025. In Force: January 1, 2026. Full Application and Replacement of 2009/48/EC: August 1, 2030

The shift from a directive to a regulation means the rules apply directly and uniformly across all EU member states without requiring national transposition. This closes inconsistencies in how the previous directive was implemented across different markets.

Until August 1, 2030, toys that comply with Directive 2009/48/EC may continue to be placed on the EU market under the transitional provisions. Both frameworks are in effect during this period.

CE Marking, EN 71 testing and REACH compliance all carry forward under the new Regulation. The primary operational changes are the expanded chemical prohibitions, the Digital Product Passport and the new online marketplace obligations detailed below.

Expanded Chemical Requirements

Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 expands the categories of prohibited substances.

Prohibited: Intentional use of PFAS in toys
Broadened the generic ban on hazardous chemicals to prohibit CMR substances, endocrine disruptors, specific target organ toxicity substances, respiratory sensitizers and skin sensitizers
Expanded age range: Chemical restrictions that previously applied only to toys intended for children under 36 months now cover all toys, regardless of intended age group

Digital Product Passports

Digital Product Passports replace the EU Declaration of Conformity
A digital carrier (e.g. QR code) on the toy or packaging provides access to conformity documentation, chemical test reports and production information
This significant operational change requires supply chain data infrastructure that many companies have not yet built

Online Marketplace Obligations

The platforms must be designed to display certain information before purchase (CE marking, safety warnings, Digital Product Passport link)
Platforms are responsible for identifying and removing any non-compliant toys
Sellers on the marketplace must supply the platform with a digital copy of the required data - with a unique identifier
Fulfillment services (warehousing, packaging, addressing, dispatch) must maintain the toy's conformity with the safety requirements

Toy Testing and Certification Services

Hohenstein builds testing plans that address compliance, chemical risk and performance - and can include certification for OEKO-TEX® and other applicable standards.

Standard and customized testing and safety assessments: RSL, quality, performance, physical, chemical, mechanical and flammability
Regulatory testing, CE Certification and CE Marking
Industry certifications (OEKO-TEX®, etc.)
Claim validation and comparative benchmarking
Labeling and technical documentation
Audits and inspections