EN 71-2 Flammability Rules Changed: What Plush & Costume Toy Makers Must Do in 2025
- Awen Hollek
- Sep 23
- 5 min read
Why EN 71-2 Deserves Your Full Attention in 2025
If you’re in the business of plush toys, disguise costumes, or anything remotely cape-like—2025 is not the year to ignore the fine print.
The updated EN 71-2:2020 + A1:2025 flammability standard has just been published, and with October 25, 2025 as the official deadline for adoption across the EU, toy brands need to act fast. These changes aren’t just regulatory nitpicks—they could determine whether your next product hits the shelves or hits a wall at customs.
So, what’s really changed in EN 71-2? How does it impact your plush prototypes and themed dress-up sets? And what the heck do they mean by “standard washing water conditions”? Let’s dive in.
Plush, Costumes, and Disguise Toys—High-Risk Categories Explained
EN 71-2 addresses flammability risks in toys. While this seems obvious, not all toys are equal under the law. The 2025 changes explicitly tighten the screws on:
Disguise costumes (think superhero outfits, princess dresses, ninja suits)
Soft-filled plush toys that resemble clothing or accessories
Toys intended to be worn, such as masks, hoods, capes, and hats
🔥 Why are these the focus? Because fabric toys, especially those worn on the body, are more likely to be near open flames (birthday candles, stoves, campfires). And unfortunately, many don’t perform well in flammability tests.
If your product fits even loosely into one of these categories, you’re in the EN 71-2 hot zone.
What’s New in EN 71-2:2020 + A1:2025?
The latest amendment to EN 71-2 introduces more precise test procedures and definitions, particularly for how and when certain toys are tested. Here are the key changes:
🧼 New Washing Procedure Requirements for Disguise Toys
One of the biggest updates? Toys now need to be tested after washing.
Specifically, if a disguise toy (e.g. a cape or costume) includes fabric elements intended to be worn, it must:
Be washed using standard water conditions as specified in ISO 6330
Undergo testing post-wash, not just in its factory-fresh state
Why? Because some flame-retardant treatments wash out. Testing post-wash ensures compliance holds up over time—not just straight off the production line.
🎭 Clarifications for Masks, Capes, and Accessories
Previously, ambiguity around accessory testing led to inconsistencies. This amendment makes it clear:
Masks, wigs, and similar items must be tested separately, even if attached
Caped costumes must have the cape tested independently if it’s detachable
Stitched-on accessories (like hoods, shoulder pads) are tested as part of the toy, but must meet stricter ignition criteria
This prevents “loopholes” where a flammable part hides under the safety umbrella of an otherwise compliant toy.
📘 Revised Definitions and Category Criteria
The amendment also refines definitions. For example:
A “disguise costume” now includes toys that resemble apparel and are worn for roleplay (including those that don’t mimic real-life uniforms)
“Soft-filled toys” include anything with textile exteriors and plush filling, regardless of whether they have play value beyond cuddling
This means your cute plush bunny with a hood? It might now count as a disguise toy—and need to pass tougher flammability tests.
Source:
Practical Design Changes to Pass the New Tests
Don’t worry—we’re not saying stop making plush toys. But you’ll want to tweak your design and production process to avoid failing the updated EN 71-2 tests.
Material Selection: What Now Fails Flammability?
Certain synthetic fibers and low-cost fabric blends ignite quickly and burn fast. These are now under more intense scrutiny.
🔥 Risky materials:
Polyester fleece
Polypropylene non-wovens
Poorly treated tulle and mesh
Foam inserts
✅ Safer bets:
Flame-retardant cotton blends
Densely woven fabrics
Interlining barriers between flammable layers
Tip: Ask your suppliers for flammability test certificates for raw materials. If they can’t provide one, consider alternatives.
Design Adjustments: Avoiding Risk Zones
EN 71-2 pays special attention to protruding and dangling elements—like capes, hoods, and long tails.
To stay safe:
Shorten lengths of capes and trailing parts
Avoid thin, fast-burning materials near the neck or face
Reinforce hems to reduce spread of flame
Even construction methods like loose stitching or exposed seams can be penalized in testing.
Construction Tips: Stitching, Seams, and Fillers
Poor construction can worsen fire spread. Consider:
Double stitching seams for integrity
Using low-flammability stuffing
Avoiding glue where stitching is possible—adhesives often burn faster
What This Means for Retailer Approvals & CE Marking
Many retailers—including toy giants like Carrefour, Smyths, and Amazon—now require test reports specifically referencing the latest standard.
If you submit lab results using the pre-2025 EN 71-2 version, expect:
Rejection by QA departments
Delays in PO approvals
Additional retesting costs (which your factory may not cover)
Your Declaration of Conformity (DoC) must also reference EN 71-2:2020 + A1:2025 after the harmonization date.
Test Labs Are Already Updating Protocols—Are You?
Many EU-based labs (SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas, UL) are already switching their protocols. But not all test labs do it automatically.
Before sending your next prototype, ask:
Are you testing to EN 71-2:2020+A1:2025?
Will the report reflect post-wash flammability results?
Are accessories tested separately?
If they say “no” to any of the above, find another lab—or have us coordinate for you.
Step-by-Step: What Toy Brands Must Do Before October 25
Here’s your plush compliance punchlist:
✅ Re-audit your product line for anything that could count as a disguise toy
🧵 Evaluate materials for burn rate, treatment, and post-wash performance
📑 Update lab protocols to match the new EN 71-2 version
🧪 Re-test prototypes under post-wash conditions
🖋️ Revise your CE documentation to reflect the 2025 update
📦 Double-check labels and fire warnings (especially for 0–36 months)
How Awen Hollek Helps Plush and Costume Toys Pass with Flying Colors
At Awen Hollek, we specialize in helping toy brands get ahead of regulation—not crushed by it.
Our services include:
🎨 Design reviews to pre-empt flammability risks
🌱 Material sourcing that meets EN 71-2 and -3 thresholds
🧪 Test lab coordination (we only work with EN 71-certified pros)
📄 Help with labeling, DoCs, and documentation
🎯 Compliance-first design and development
We’ve seen it all—flaming wigs, melting mesh, polyester mayhem. Don’t let that be your product.
FAQs About EN 71-2:2025 Changes
Q: Do I have to re-test toys I already launched last year?
A: If you’re placing them on the market after Oct 25, 2025, yes—you must test against the new EN 71-2.
Q: How many washing cycles are required?
A: One standardized wash as defined by ISO 6330 (depends on fabric but typically one full cycle with set conditions).
Q: What if my plush toy has a removable cape?
A: The cape must be tested separately, as it’s considered a wearable accessory.
Q: Do I need to update the CE mark itself?
A: No—the CE logo stays the same, but your DoC must reference the updated standard.
Q: Are flammability warnings mandatory on packaging now?
A: Only for toys that present higher risk—your lab or partner (like Awen Hollek 😉) can advise.
Final Thoughts: No Need to Burn the Whole Thing Down (Literally)
We know it’s a lot. But this isn’t about overkill—it’s about keeping kids safe and your brand successful.
The good news? You don’t need to become an EN 71-2 flammability expert. You just need to work with someone who already is.
At Awen Hollek, we live and breathe toy safety—so you don’t have to panic every time a standard gets updated.