Do toys need CE marking?
Updated
Yes.
Toys placed on the EU market must meet the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and carry CE marking. Before placing a toy on the market, the manufacturer must carry out a safety assessment of chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical, flammability, hygiene and radioactivity hazards (Article 18), apply a conformity assessment procedure, draw up technical documentation and an EC declaration of conformity, and keep them for 10 years. The new Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 replaces the directive and applies from 1 August 2030.
What changes the answer
- Self-assessment or notified body. If you apply harmonised standards (the EN 71 series, plus EN IEC 62115 for electric toys) that cover all relevant safety requirements, internal production control is enough. Without them, with only partial use, or with a standard published with a restriction, the toy needs EC-type examination by a notified body (Article 19).
- Under 36 months. Toys for children under 3, and toys meant to be put in the mouth, must not have parts small enough to be swallowed or inhaled, and face stricter chemical limits. A warning that a toy is not for children under 36 months cannot be used on a toy that is obviously intended for that age.
- Radio toys. Remote-control and app-connected toys are also radio equipment under the RED, including the RED cybersecurity requirements for toys with radio functions under Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30.
- Chemicals. Beyond the directive's own limits, REACH restrictions apply, and the new regulation adds wider bans on hazardous substances, including PFAS and bisphenols, once it applies.
- EU contact. The directive is listed in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, so an economic operator established in the EU must hold the declaration and documentation for every toy.
What to do
- Do the written safety assessment and age grading before testing, and keep it in the technical file.
- Test to the applicable EN 71 parts and, for electric toys, EN IEC 62115.
- Sign the EC declaration of conformity and affix CE marking visibly to the toy, a label or the packaging.
- Mark the toy with a type, batch or serial number, and the name and postal address of the manufacturer and, for imports, the importer. Add the required warnings in a language consumers understand in each country.
- Plan for the Toy Safety Regulation: digital product passport and new chemical limits from 1 August 2030.
- 9503.00.00.73
9503: Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale ("scale") models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof
"Children's products" as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2052 / Labeled or determined by importer as intended for use by persons / 3 to 12 years of age
Toys for ages 3 to 12.
General rateFree - 9503.00.00.71
9503: Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls, other toys; reduced-scale ("scale") models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds; parts and accessories thereof
"Children's products" as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 2052 / Labeled or determined by importer as intended for use by persons / Under 3 years of age
Toys for children under 3.
General rateFree
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use ASTM F963 test reports for CE?
- Not on their own. CE needs conformity with the directive's essential safety requirements, which is shown by EN 71 and related standards. Some test data overlaps, but labs usually run the EN tests separately.
- When does the new Toy Safety Regulation apply?
- Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 applies from 1 August 2030. Some provisions on notified bodies, delegated acts and penalties apply from 1 January 2026.
- Do toys sold on Amazon EU need an EU responsible person?
- Yes. A toy can only be placed on the market if an EU-established manufacturer, importer, authorised representative or fulfilment service provider takes on the Article 4 tasks, and their details appear on the toy, packaging, parcel or accompanying document.
Sources
This is general information drawn from the official sources linked above. It is not legal advice. Rules change and often turn on the facts of your product, so confirm your test plan with an accredited lab and your obligations with qualified counsel before you import or sell.