Comparison between EU EN71 standard and US CPSC?
Date：2025-03-31 11:03:53 Classification
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The EU EN71 standard and the US CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) related standards play an important role in the safety specifications of children's toys and other products. The following compares them from many aspects:
Scope of application
- EU EN71 standard: Applicable to any product or material designed or intended for children under 14 years old to play. It is the standard for toys in the EU market. All toys sold in the EU must meet the legal requirements of this standard.
- US CPSC: CPSC regulates the safety of many consumer products. Children's toys are one of its important areas of supervision, but the coverage is not limited to toys. It also includes children's furniture, strollers and other children's products. For example, CPSC has formulated CPSC 16 CFR 1508, CPSC 16 CFR 1509 and other standards for children's beds; there are ASTM F977, ASTM F833 and other standards for strollers.
Standard content
- EU EN71 standard: This standard is rich and detailed, covering multiple parts such as physical and mechanical properties (EN71-1), flame retardancy (EN71-2), migration of specific elements (EN71-3), and test equipment used in chemical and related activities (EN71-4). For example, in EN71-3, strict limit requirements are set for heavy metal elements that can migrate in toy materials, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, to ensure the health and safety of children when they come into contact with toys.
- US CPSC: Mainly based on relevant regulations such as the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). CPSIA has strict restrictions on the content of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates in children's products. In addition, the United States also has a special toy safety standard ASTM F963, which also stipulates the quality, flammability, toxicity and other aspects of raw materials of toys. For example, in terms of toxicity, toys or raw materials used for toys must comply with FHSA (Federal Hazardous Substances Regulations) and its related regulations. At the same time, some states may have stricter regulations on harmful substances than federal requirements.
Certification process
- EU EN71 standard: Usually, you need to submit a certification application form, relevant samples and information first, and then the laboratory will test according to the EN71 standard. After the test is passed, a test report and certificate will be issued. General toys, daily necessities, handicrafts, toy-like products, baby products, etc., often need to undergo three assessments: EN71-1 physical and mechanical tests, EN71-2 flammability tests, and EN71-3 19 toxic heavy metal dissolution tests, before they can be allowed to enter the EU market.
- US CPSC: Products must be tested by a US-approved laboratory in accordance with relevant standards. After passing the test, the manufacturer or importer will sign a Children's Product Certificate (CPC). For example, children's toys must comply with the ASTM F963 standard and the relevant requirements of CPSIA to qualify for entry into the US market.
Supervision and implementation
- EU EN71 standard: Customs and market supervision departments of EU countries will conduct strict inspections on toy products entering the EU market. If the product does not meet the EN71 standard, it may be banned from import, recalled or destroyed, and the company may face fines and other penalties.
- CPSC: CPSC has the power to supervise and enforce the law on consumer products on the market. If a product is found to have safety hazards, CPSC can require the company to recall the product, impose heavy fines on the violating company, and may pursue legal liability in serious cases.
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