SG 025/25
The European Committee for Standardization (Comité Européen de Normalisation, CEN) has published two new standards for phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) in certain toys. These European standards are to be given the status of a national standard by June 2025.
In December 2024, the CEN published two new test methods for the determination of phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) in certain toy materials.
These two methods are:
- EN 71-18:2024 ‘Phenol in aqueous (content) and polymeric (migration) toy materials’
- EN 71-19:2024 ‘Migration of bisphenol A from toy materials’
They are now a part of the EN 71 series of standards on toy safety, which includes EN 71 Parts 1-5, 7, 8 and 10-20.
Highlights of these two new standards are summarized in Table 1
| EN 71-18:2024 | EN 71-19:2024 | |
| Title | Phenol in aqueous (content) and polymeric (migration) toy materials | Migration of BPA from toy materials |
| Scope | Toys intended for children under 36 months, or other toys intended to be placed in the mouth:
| Toys intended for children under 36 months, or other toys intended to be placed in the mouth |
| Substance | Phenol | BPA |
| Definition | ‘Aqueous toy material’ is defined as a toy material formulated with water, where formulated with water means the material has added water to water containing ingredients during the manufacturing process and excludes materials that have absorbed water unintentionally | --- |
| Method | Phenol migration: Water, 37 °C, 3 h, shaking, followed by instrumentation Phenol content: Methanol, room temperature for a specified time, shaking, followed by instrumentation | Water, 37 °C, 3 hours, shaking, followed by instrumentation |
| Requirement | Phenol migration: ≤ 5 mg/L¹ Phenol content: ≤ 10 mg/kg ¹ | ≤ 0.04 mg/L² |
| ¹Limit values correspond to those in Directive (EU) 2017/774, amending Directive 2009/48/EC (current consolidated version to December 2022) ²Limit value corresponds to Directive (EU) 2017/898, amending Directive 2009/48/EC | ||
Table 1
As stated in both EN 71-18:2024 and EN 71-19:2024, these standards will be given the status of a national standard by June 2025 at the very latest.
To provide presumption of conformity with Directive 2009/48/EC on toy safety, standards need to be harmonized. Harmonization occurs when they are published in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
With a global network of toy laboratories and EU Notified Bodies in France and Germany, we help ensure full compliance with the EU Toy Safety Directive. Our internationally recognized laboratories are strategically located in key manufacturing zones and transit points worldwide. No matter where in Europe your toy will be sold, we help you meet all applicable requirements. Protect children and your brand – partner with us to navigate the complex EU Toy Safety Directive. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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