In-depth Analysis of the EU EN71 and US ASTM Standards For Plush Toys

Quick Paragraph Overview:

▨ Why must customizers pay attention to toy safety certification?
▨ Comparison table of core differences between EN71 and ASTM
▨ Comparison of key indicators of chemical testing
▨ Practical case analysis of physical performance testing
▨ 2023 European and American customs detention data warning

Must-read for customizers: Safety certification directly affects order profits

According to the latest data from Statista, in 2022, plush toys accounted for 37% of toy recalls in the European and American markets due to certification non-compliance. As a custom purchaser, you need to pay special attention to:

✔️ Certification cost ratio: EN71 certification costs about 2-3% of the total order amount, ASTM certification about 1.5-2.5%
✔️ Testing cycle difference: EU certification takes an average of 5-7 working days, US certification 3-5 days
✔️ Violation penalty case: A Shenzhen seller was fined €120,000 by the EU for excessive fillers

Industry pain point solution → Choosing custom plush manufacturers with dual-certified production lines such as Hansightoy can reduce repeated testing costs by 30%

Comparison of EN71 and ASTM F963 standards in three dimensions

Physical safety test

Test items	EN71-1 requirements	ASTM F963 requirements	Customizers’ attention
Small parts inspection	Toys under 36 months are prohibited	Toys under 60 months are prohibited	The US market can relax the age limit
Tensile test	70N for 10 seconds	50N for 10 seconds	The EU has higher requirements for suture strength
Filling cleanliness	Microbiological test report is required	Only visual inspection is performed	The EU needs to designate a laboratory for testing

Chemical restrictions

Phthalates:

EN71-3 stipulates that the total amount of 18 plasticizers is ≤0.1%
ASTM only limits DBP/BBP/DEHP to ≤0.1%

Formaldehyde content:

EN71 requires ≤30mg/kg (OEKO-TEX® Class II standard)
ASTM has no clear limit (recommend reference CPSIA≤75mg/kg)

Tip: Customers using recycled cotton need to test polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) specifically, and the EU limit is 20 times stricter than that of the United States.

Certification practice flow chart

EN71 certification five-step method

Select EU Notified Body
Provide product BOM table + production process flow chart
Key detection: Migratable heavy metals + azo dyes
Get DoC Declaration of Conformity
Print CE mark + European representative information

Three shortcuts to ASTM certification

Scheme A: ILAC certified laboratory issues test report
Scheme B: Accept certification from a third-party organization recognized by CPSC
Scheme C: Small batches can use supplier self-declaration

Suggestion: When the customized quantity exceeds 5,000 pieces, give priority to CPSC-approved laboratories to avoid port detention caused by CPSC spot checks

Customs data warning for 2023

According to the EU RAPEX notification system:

⚠️ Top 3 reasons why Chinese-made plush toys are unqualified:

Insufficient tensile strength of eyes (accounting for 42%)
Packaging film thickness <0.038mm (accounting for 29%)
Warning signs missing (accounting for 18%)

Response strategies:

Require factories to provide production video records
Keep at least 3 sample test pieces for each batch
Use laser engraving instead of traditional sewn labels