Toy safety standards aligned with EU Directive

The EN71-4:2013 safety standard, which sets requirements for toy chemistry sets and similar toys, has been revised to bring it into line with the EU toys safety Directive and the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals.

From July 2013, all toys placed on the EU market must comply with the chemical properties safety requirements set out in Part III of Annex II of the Directive.

General

Experimental sets for mineralogy, biology, physics, microscopy and environmental science are covered only if they contain one or more chemical substances and/or mixtures which are classified as hazardous according to the CLP Regulation.

There are new terms for “chemical toy”, “experimental set”, “crystal growing set”, “carbon dioxide generating experimental set” and "cosmetic kit" (per prEN 71-13).

Clove oil has been deleted from the list of allowed substances and mixtures, and can no longer be supplied in chemistry or other experimental sets.

Chemical danger symbols have been replaced by the corresponding GHS (diamond) pictograms and signal words (“Danger” or “Warning”, as applicable).

EU INDEX numbers have been added for the hazardous substances allowed (based on the CLP Regulation.

Colourants and colouring materials may be supplied in the experimental set if they are not classified as a health hazard (e.g. “acute toxicity”, “skin corrosion/irritation” etc) per the CLP Regulation.

Eye protection, where required, shall comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive 89/686/EEC, under which EN 166:2001, EN 167:2001 and EN 167:2001 are the harmonised standards covering eye protection specifications, optical and non-optical test methods respectively. (The previous eye protection test method (taken from an historic version of EN 71-1) has been deleted.)

H- (hazard) and P- (precautionary) statements, where required by the CLP Regulation, replacing the previous risk/safety phrases per Directive 67/548/EEC.

Age labelling is now specified by the manufacturer, authorised representative or importer; but shall not be at least 8 years of age and above (formerly 10 years in the 2009 standard). Except for chemistry sets which include potassium permanganate, where the lowest age labelling remains at not be less than 12 years of age.

General first aid information now requires at least 10 minutes washing in case of skin contact or burns.

Crystal growing sets

The options for crystal growing sets were very limited under the 2009 standard, but have now been expanded with some new requirements:

A list of 19 allowed substances is included, of which 6 substances were not permitted previously to be supplied in the kit under the previous standard.

Only substances that cannot react with each other may be supplied in the same set. Hence, certain allowed substances shall not be supplied in the same kit.

Larger amounts of the allowed substances may be supplied; up to 600 g per set in some cases.

Each container or package shall contain a maximum 200 g of the substance.

Non-reclosable packages are now permitted for certain substances, and shall comply with EN 862.

Substrates (e.g. Plaster of Paris (gypsum), stones, minerals etc) on which crystals may be grown are not limited in the amount supplied. However, where used Plaster of Paris shall comply with EN 71-5 (labelling and instructions).

Eye protection is only required if the set includes a substance (e.g. sodium silicate), which requires the GHS05 (corrosion) pictogram.

Growing crystals are not covered by the expanding materials requirements in EN 71-1. (Expansion during crystal growth is not caused by water absorption and generally occurs over a much time period.)

New safety rules have been added:
- “Do not grow crystals where food or drink is handled or in bedrooms.”
There has been at least one fatality where a crystal growing solution used in a bedroom was accidentally consumed having been mistaken during the night for a drink.

“Take care while handling with hot water and hot solutions.”

- “Ensure that during growing of the crystal the container with the liquid is out of reach of children under (*) years of age." Where (*) refers to the age labelling to be specified (at least 8 years of age).

Carbon dioxide generating experimental sets

Of the 8 allowed substances that may be supplied in a carbon dioxide generating experimental sets, 5 substances were not permitted to be supplied with the kit under the previous standard.

Larger amounts of the allowed substances may be included too, up to 100 g per set.

Non-reclosable packages, complying with EN 862, are permitted for certain substances.

Further information:

Chemical watch

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