EN71 and CE: what applies to what

Plush toys: EN71 applies

A plush toy sold in the EU is a toy in the legal sense and falls under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. Conformity is demonstrated through the EN71 series:

• EN71-1 — mechanical and physical properties. Pull tests on eyes, noses and seams; small parts; sharp edges.
• EN71-2 — flammability.
• EN71-3 — migration of specific elements, meaning how much of nineteen regulated substances can leach out of the materials.

Testing is done by an accredited laboratory on a sample drawn from the actual production batch. The manufacturer then issues a CE declaration of conformity and must keep the technical file for ten years.

You should receive the test reports and the declaration with the goods. If they arrive only when you ask, ask why.

Costumes: EN71 does not apply

A mascot costume is not a toy. It is worn by an adult performer, not played with by a child, and it falls outside the Toy Safety Directive entirely. There is no such thing as an EN71-certified mascot costume, and a supplier claiming one either does not understand the standard or is hoping you do not.

What a costume supplier should give you:

• Material declarations naming what every part is made of
• Flammability data for the fabrics used — venues often ask for this before letting a costume indoors
• CE documentation where the construction requires it, for example electrical components such as cooling fans
• A field-of-view statement for the head, which matters for insurance and for student welfare rules on campuses

What to ask a supplier

• For plush: "Can I see the EN71 reports for the last batch you shipped?" — a real manufacturer has these immediately.
• For plush: "Is the sample tested, or the batch?" — only batch testing tells you anything about what you receive.
• For costumes: "What flammability data do you supply for the fur?"
• For anything: "Who does the testing?" — the answer should be a named accredited laboratory, not "our factory".