Recently, two major standards in the EN71 series were updated: EN71-1:2026 and EN71-8:2026. These revisions introduce new requirements and test methods aimed at improving safety for a wide range of toys. Understanding these changes can help toy brands, manufacturers, and retailers stay compliant and design safer products.
If you’d like to learn more about the EN71 system itself, you can check out our previous article explaining the major global toy safety standards.
In this blog, we focus on what has actually changed in the latest updates—and what they mean for toy manufacturers and brands.
Key Updates in EN71-1:2026
EN71-1 focuses on the mechanical and physical safety of toys. The new version replaces the long-standing EN71-1:2014 + A1:2018 and introduces several new rules designed to address emerging safety concerns.
Here are some of the most important changes.
1. New Requirements for Food-Imitating Toys
One major update is a new clause addressing toys that imitate food.
If a toy looks too realistic—such as resembling candy, fruit, or desserts—it could be mistaken for something edible. The updated standard introduces evaluation criteria and safety requirements for these products to reduce choking or ingestion risks.
Manufacturers may need to adjust the design to make the toy clearly recognizable as a toy rather than real food.
2. New Testing for Expanding Materials
Another important update introduces specific testing requirements for expanding materials.
Some toys contain water-absorbing materials that can expand significantly when exposed to liquid. The revised standard adds test methods to evaluate how these materials behave after soaking and whether they could pose internal blockage risks if swallowed.
This change aligns with increasing global concern around expanding toy materials.
3. Updated Ventilation Requirements for Enclosed Toys
The revised standard also clarifies ventilation requirements for toys that may enclose part of a child’s body, such as play structures or helmets.
Updated rules define how ventilation openings should be designed and introduce new test methods to ensure sufficient airflow and reduce suffocation risks.
4. Revised Rules for Toys Bearing the Weight of a Child
EN71-1:2026 also reorganizes and updates requirements for toys designed to support a child’s weight, including ride-on toys and similar products.
New definitions and test methods improve requirements related to stability, structure, and durability.
5. Additional Technical Updates
The revised standard also includes several clarifications and technical adjustments, such as:
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Updated rules for yo-yo ball tethers
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Requirements related to neck straps and cords
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New considerations for glued components in toys for children under 36 months
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Optional graphical warning symbols for protective equipment
These updates help ensure that the standard reflects modern toy designs and evolving safety expectations.
Key Updates in EN71-8:2026
Another updated standard is EN71-8:2026, which applies to activity toys for domestic use.
This includes toys such as indoor slides, swings, climbing structures, and other large activity equipment.
The new version replaces EN71-8:2018 and introduces updated safety requirements for these types of toys.
Key updates include:
Additional requirements for inflatable activity toys
With inflatable play equipment becoming more common, the revised standard introduces additional safety considerations for these products.
Updated safety rules for swings, slides, and similar toys
Requirements for structures, suspension systems, and straps have been updated to further reduce the risk of falls, entrapment, or structural failure during play.
Transition Timeline for the New Standards
Both EN71-1:2026 and EN71-8:2026 have now been published, and the industry will have a transition period before the previous versions are withdrawn.
The current expectation is that the older versions will be phased out by July 2027, allowing manufacturers sufficient time to review product designs, update testing procedures, and ensure compliance with the revised standards.
What These Updates Mean for Wooden Toy Manufacturers
For manufacturers of wooden toys, these updates highlight the importance of continuous product evaluation and safety testing.
Wooden toys often benefit from robust construction, natural materials, and durable designs, which can help meet many mechanical safety requirements. However, aspects such as small components, glued parts, and structural strength still require careful testing under EN71 standards.
At TookyToy, product safety has always been a core priority. As new EN71 standards are introduced, our team works closely with accredited testing laboratories to review product designs and update testing reports in accordance with the latest requirements.
By staying aligned with evolving regulations, we aim to ensure that every product continues to meet the highest safety expectations—providing families and partners around the world with safe, reliable, and high-quality wooden toys.
Looking Ahead: Safety Standards Continue to Evolve
The updates to EN71-1 and EN71-8 reflect the ongoing efforts of European regulators to strengthen toy safety and adapt to new product categories.
For toy manufacturers and brands, staying informed about these changes is essential not only for regulatory compliance but also for maintaining consumer trust.
As the industry moves toward the upcoming EU Toy Safety Regulation, continuous monitoring of regulatory developments will remain an important part of responsible toy manufacturing.
