EU Adds Three New EN 71 Standards to the Harmonized List — What Toy Exporters Need to Know

On 14 September 2026, the European Commission published Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2032, amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/740 on the harmonized standards supporting the Toy Safety Directive. The decision formally adds three revised EN 71 standards to the list of harmonized standards under Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.

From 14 September 2026, the three standards below are effective and carry the presumption of conformity — meaning products assessed against them are presumed to meet the essential safety requirements of the Directive.

What each of the three new standards covers

The three standards added to the list target three distinct toy-related risks.

EN 71‑4:2020+A1:2025 — Chemistry and related activity sets

This part applies to “experimental sets for chemistry and related activities” — the kind of children’s science kits found in classrooms and homes. It sets out the chemicals that may be used in such kits, their permitted concentration ranges, and the safety requirements for handling them, preventing children from coming into contact with unsafe chemicals while experimenting. These toys spark curiosity but carry inherent chemical-exposure risk, which is why they remain a focus of regulatory scrutiny.

EN 71‑15:2025 — Formamide in foamed toy materials

This part targets formamide in foamed materials, commonly found in products such as play mats and soft building blocks. Formamide is a substance that can remain as a residue from the production of such materials and may be released slowly at certain temperatures — a risk source that is “invisible but persistently present.”

EN 71‑16:2025 — Chlorinated phosphorous flame retardants

This part addresses chlorinated phosphorous flame retardants in toy materials, specifically TCEP, TCPP and TDCP. These substances were once widely used in plastics and foams to achieve flame resistance, but are now regulated due to their potential health risks.

Transition period for EN 71‑4:2020. The superseded EN 71‑4:2020 is not withdrawn immediately. A transition period of roughly 18 months applies: EN 71‑4:2020 remains on the harmonized list until 14 March 2028. During the transition, manufacturers may still use the old version for conformity assessment — but once the window closes, the old standard will no longer support a presumption of conformity. Supply-chain businesses are advised to begin testing and assessment against the new versions early.

Key dates at a glance

As of the present date, the list of harmonised standards under the EU Toy Safety Directive is as follows:

Recommendations for sellers and manufacturers

We recommend that toy businesses take the following steps without delay:

• Verify which EN 71 versions apply to your products, with priority on the chemical testing of EN 71‑15 (formamide in foamed materials) and EN 71‑16 (chlorinated phosphorous flame retardants).
• Complete the version transition from EN 71‑4:2020 to EN 71‑4:2020+A1:2025 well before the 14 March 2028 deadline.

Facing the EU’s frequent toy-standard updates, companies should avoid a passive “wait-for-inspection-then-fix” posture. Instead, build a routine standard-tracking mechanism:

1. Make harmonized-standards-list checks a fixed task. Track official announcements proactively rather than relying on second-hand information from peers to learn about regulatory changes.
2. Front-load material and formulation reviews. New standards often bring new limits and test methods; the compliance of upstream raw materials directly determines whether the finished product passes. Early screening effectively lowers later rework costs.
3. Treat the transition period rationally — not as a delay buffer. The parallel old/new phase is the golden window for product screening and remediation. Waiting until the old standard is withdrawn to start corrections risks rushed work and goods held at port.

Disclaimer: Specific compliance requirements are subject to the latest official EU publications and the opinions of notified bodies. This article is for general information and does not constitute legal or conformity-assessment advice.