New version of EN71-1:2026 for the safety of toys is published

Vol. 1527 | 16 Feb 2026

EN 71-1:2026 updates toy mechanical/physical safety with new expanding materials tests, enclosure ventilation rules, food-imitation toy requirements, child-bearing toy standards, yo-yo ball clarifications, neck strap functionality, and graphical protective equipment warnings.

CEN has published EN71-1:2026 “Safety of Toys – Part 1: Mechanical and Physical Properties”. The updated standard for the mechanical and physical properties of toys. This revision replaced the long-standing EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018.

Key updates of the 2026 version standard:

• Expanding materials (clause 4.6): Revised the requirements for expanding materials.
• Enclosure (clause 4.14): The requirements of with respect to ventilation are updated and clarified. New test methods are added.
• Toy intended to bear the mass of a child (clause 4.15): The requirements for toys intended to bear the mass of a child are updated.
• Yo-yo balls (clause 4.24): Clarified that yo-yo balls comply with the requirement if the tether breaks during the testing.
• Food-imitation toys (clause 4.28): A new requirement for food-imitation toys is added.
• Toy intended for children under 36 months (clause 5): The requirement also applies to glued wooden components.
• Straps intended to be worn fully or partially around the neck (clause 5.14): A requirement is added to ensure it is possible to join the parts of cords after they have been separated.
• Warning for protective equipment (clause 7.14.2): A new option of using graphical symbols for indicating that protective equipment shall be worn is added.

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