Deadline Alert: The Latest 2025 EU EN 71 Amendments Every Toypreneur Must Know

Toypreneurs, time to perk up those ears and grab your compliance checklists—because 2025 isn’t just another year in the industry. It’s shaping up to be one of the most regulation-heavy shifts we’ve seen in the European toy landscape in over a decade. With sweeping changes rolling through the EN 71 standards—the backbone of toy safety testing in the EU—you’ll need to act fast, stay informed, and prepare your designs for a smoother, safer (and more legal) ride.

This guide walks you through what’s changing, why it matters, and what toy brands need to do right now to stay ahead.

Why 2025–2026 Could Be the Most Important Period in Toy Safety Yet

✦ A Harmonized Shake-Up Is Coming

The European Commission has requested a major revision of most EN 71 parts, including EN 62115 for electrical toys, by October 25, 2025. The goal? To bring everything in line with the upcoming Toy Safety Regulation, a total revamp of the existing Directive 2009/48/EC.

If your toy line already carries a CE mark, this affects you directly. These harmonized standards will dictate what gets tested, what’s considered compliant, and how quickly you can place toys on EU shelves.

✦ What Does Harmonized Mean?

When a standard is “harmonized” under EU law, it means:

• It offers presumption of conformity with the law.

• Following it = presumed safe = easier CE documentation.

• Not following it? You’ll need strong justification and alternate proof.

So, yes, these amendments are more than a footnote. They’re your blueprint for passing testing, avoiding recalls, and sleeping better at night.

EN 71 Series Revisions: What’s Changing (and What to Monitor)

Several critical EN 71 parts are being updated—or already have been. Let’s dig into the major ones.

✦ EN 71‑2:2020+A1:2025 — Flammability Just Got More Specific

This update was published in July 2025 and brings major clarity to how flammability testing should be conducted:

• Test mask improvements: Stricter mask criteria for testing flaming behavior.

• Washing procedure revisions: Updated water hardness and conditioning to better mimic real-use scenarios.

• Alignment with EN 71‑5 & EN 71‑13: Ensuring consistency across chemicals and instructions.

🟡 Impact: If your toy includes fabric, plush, costumes, or textile accessories—this affects you.

✦ EN 71‑3:2019+A2:2024 — Heavy Metal Migration and Slime

Already adopted in June 2025, this revision clarifies:

• Migration methods for soluble elements like lead, mercury, cadmium.

• Slime-specific provisions: Especially for boron content and formulation limits.

• Dewaxing changes: No more unnecessary dewaxing in testing, unless truly needed.

🟡 Impact: Anyone working with molded parts, paints, slime kits, modeling clays, and dyed surfaces.

✦ EN 71‑13 to EN 71‑19 — What’s New?

The newer and more specialized EN 71 parts are also moving fast:

• EN 71‑13: Guidance for instructions, particularly chemical sets and functional toys.

• EN 71‑14: Trampolines—revised definitions and use conditions.

• EN 71‑15: Colorants and azo dyes—expect formamide restrictions.

• EN 71‑16 to 19: Cover BPA, phenol, flame retardants, and even microbiological hazards in water toys.

🟡 Impact: If your toy uses color, contains foam, involves bath play, or is scented/interactive—you’ll be affected.

Draft EU Toy Safety Regulation — What’s Driving These Changes

✦ Moving Beyond Directives

The current Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) is being phased out—a new Regulation is in draft phase and could be enforced as early as 2026.

Key shifts:

• Banning of PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and bisphenols

• Enhanced rules around allergens and fragrances

• Broader oversight of nanomaterials, slime chemicals, and electrical components

This Regulation will carry direct legal force across all EU Member States—meaning fewer “interpretations” by country and more centralized enforcement.

Practical Takeaways for Toypreneurs

✦ 1. Audit Your Current Line

Don’t wait for your lab to flag issues. Start with a gap analysis:

• Is your stuffing or coating flammable?

• Are you testing boron levels in DIY slime?

• Does your packaging contain BPA?

• Are your instructions aligned with EN 71‑13?

Even if you’re not selling in the EU today, consider future-proofing your products.

✦ 2. Prepare Your Docs

Regulations aren’t just about tests—they’re about paperwork.

• Update your Declaration of Conformity

• Refresh your technical file with the latest standards

• Add clear risk assessments for new hazards

Your compliance file is a sales asset—especially for big retailers.

✦ 3. Anticipate Test Add-Ons

Costs may increase slightly as labs apply newer test methods. Budget for:

• Extra flammability cycles

• Element migration panels for slime, metals, and prints

• New microbiological and allergen screening

But trust us—it’s cheaper than a failed shipment or product recall.

How Awen Hollek Helps You Ride the Regulatory Wave

At Awen Hollek, we speak fluent “toy compliance.” And we do it without the snoozefest. We help toy brands design smarter, source ethically, and test with precision—so your toys don’t just pass the lab, they pass the parent test.

Here’s what we offer:

• ✅ Pre-compliance reviews of designs and materials

• ✅ Sourcing upgrades to ensure EN 71-compliant inputs

• ✅ Testing coordination with certified EU labs

• ✅ Full CE documentation support, from DoC to line sheets

And we do all of this while staying human, helpful, and cheeky (when necessary). Because yes, regulations matter—but so does having a good laugh while you build brilliant toys.

🚀 Get your compliance checklist started with us today

FAQs

❓When will the new EN 71 parts be mandatory?

Some are already published (e.g. EN 71‑3:2019+A2:2024), with mandatory use beginning mid-2025. Others are slated for Q4 2025. For final harmonization deadlines, check your notified lab.

❓What’s different about EN 71‑2:2020+A1:2025?

It clarifies flammability test methods—especially around mask types and water quality during pre-wash. If your toy has textiles, it likely applies.

❓What toys are most impacted?

• Plush and fabric-based toys (EN 71‑2)

• Slime, kits, modeling materials (EN 71‑3, EN 71‑13)

• Bath and scented toys (EN 71‑19 microbiological risks)

• Any toy using colorants, foam, electronics, or packaging glues

❓How do I comply with EN 71 while also sourcing eco materials?

Talk to us. Awen Hollek specializes in eco-compliant, safety-certified materials that align with both your values and EU rules.

❓Why choose Awen Hollek during this transition?

Because you need someone who understands both regulation AND creativity. We’re not just your compliance team—we’re your creative engineering ally, your toy whisperer, and your testing translator.