FAQ

Ningbo Huabiao（GIG）: Professional EN71 testing ensures the safety of toys  

Ningbo Huabiao Testing enjoys an extremely high reputation in the industry. They possess a professional testing team, whose members have all undergone rigorous training and assessment, and possess extensive testing experience and professional knowledge. When it comes to EN71 testing, they function like a group of “sharp-eyed guardians,” never overlooking any potential issues.   In terms of testing the mechanical and physical properties of toys, Huabiao Testing utilizes advanced testing equipment to conduct thorough inspections of various components of the toys. They not only check whether the toy surfaces are smooth and free of sharp edges but also test the structural strength of the toys to ensure that they remain intact under normal use as well as under extreme stress tests. During combustion performance testing, Huabiao Testing simulates various real-world conditions to accurately measure the burning speed of the toys and the spread of flames. For the detection of the migration of specific elements, they use high-precision analytical instruments to accurately determine the levels of various heavy metals and harmful substances in the toys, ensuring that they meet the requirements of the EN71 standards.

Huabiao（GIG）Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete Amazon TIC certification solution. It has passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, ensuring accurate and reliable test data, and its test reports have national/international credibility. It helps customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, assisting your products in selling globally.

EN71 Testing for 8 Heavy MetalsDefinition

The 8 heavy metals tested in the EN71 standard are antimony (Sb), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se). These heavy metals possess unique chemical properties within the periodic table. For example, lead is a soft, malleable metal that commonly occurs in nature in the form of compounds; mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature and is volatile.

Potential Sources

These heavy metals can originate from various sources in children's toys. In terms of manufacturing materials, if recycled plastic is used, it may contain heavy metal impurities. For instance, some low-quality plastic particles that have not undergone strict purification during recycling may retain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium. Paints and coatings used in toys are also important sources. Toys with bright colors often require large amounts of paint, and some unscrupulous manufacturers may use low-cost paints that contain heavy metals to reduce costs. For example, lead-containing red pigments have been found in some substandard toys, and children who chew on these toys may ingest these heavy metals. Additionally, if the production equipment is outdated, it may introduce heavy metals during the manufacturing process. For instance, metal molds that are worn out after long-term use may release their metal components into the toys.

Importance of Testing

These heavy metals pose serious health risks to children. Lead can affect the development of the nervous system, causing problems such as inattention and decreased learning ability. Even low levels of lead exposure can have irreversible effects on a child's intellectual development. Mercury is neurotoxic; if ingested through the respiratory or digestive tract, it can disrupt the normal function of the brain and nervous system, leading to symptoms such as memory loss and motor disorders. Arsenic is a carcinogen, and long-term exposure may increase a child's risk of developing cancer. Therefore, testing for these 8 heavy metals in toys can effectively reduce the risk of children coming into contact with these harmful substances and protect their health.

EN71 Testing for 19 Phthalate PlasticizersDefinition

Phthalate plasticizers are a class of organic compounds widely used in plastic products, primarily to increase their flexibility and malleability. The 19 phthalate plasticizers tested in the EN71 standard include bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), among others. These compounds are typically colorless or pale yellow oily liquids with good solubility and volatility.

Potential Sources

In children's toys, the main source of phthalate plasticizers is plastic materials. Many soft plastic toys, such as rubber dolls and plastic balls, contain large amounts of phthalate plasticizers to achieve a soft texture and good elasticity. Some plastic packaging materials may also contain these plasticizers, and during the storage and transportation of toys, the plasticizers may migrate to the surface of the toys. Additionally, if lubricants or release agents containing phthalate plasticizers are used in the production process of toys, these harmful substances may end up in the toys.

Importance of Testing

Research has shown that phthalate plasticizers have endocrine-disrupting properties. They can mimic hormones in the human body and interfere with the normal function of the endocrine system. For children, long-term exposure to phthalate plasticizers may affect the development of the reproductive system, leading to issues such as precocious puberty. Moreover, they may also damage a child's immune and respiratory systems. Therefore, testing for these 19 phthalate plasticizers in toys can effectively reduce children's exposure to these harmful substances and protect their endocrine system and overall health.

Huabiao（GIG）Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete Amazon TIC certification solution. It has passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, ensuring accurate and reliable test data, and its test reports have national/international credibility. It helps customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, assisting your products in selling globally.

Amazon EN71 Standard: “Direct Verification” Ensures No Falsification  

At the heart of Amazon’s “Direct Verification” system is the principle that the ultimate authority to determine compliance lies with independent third-party testing institutions. You can no longer upload any documents yourself; the entire process is carried out directly between the TIC institution and Amazon’s backend systems.

 A Critical Misconception about Amazon EN71: The “Shelf Life” of Test Reports  

Many sellers assume that a valid test report can be used indefinitely. This is a fatal misconception. Under the “Direct Verification” system, Amazon explicitly requires that test reports be current. There are clear indications that reports older than one year are likely to be deemed invalid. While the final decision rests with the TIC institution, sellers must adopt the utmost caution.  

Strategies for Complying with Amazon EN71: Three Immediate Steps  

1. Self-Verification: Immediately check the date of issue and the standard version of the test reports you currently have.   2. Contact the TIC Institution: Proactively reach out to the third-party testing organizations recognized by Amazon (such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing) to inquire about report updates or retesting.   3. Prepare Necessary Materials: In advance, gather product samples, technical documents, and any previous test reports, just in case they are needed.

Huabiao（GIG）Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete Amazon TIC certification solution. It has passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, ensuring accurate and reliable test data, and its test reports have national/international credibility. It helps customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, assisting your products in selling globally.

Silicone teether EN71 test items

The EN71 test is mainly aimed at assessing the safety of toys. As a type of toy, silicone teethers need to undergo the following key test items: 1. EN71-1: Physical and mechanical properties test This test item covers drop tests, small parts tests, sharp edge tests, tensile strength tests, ear, nose, and eye pull tests, pressure tests, torque tests, seam tests, etc., to ensure that silicone teethers will not cause harm to infants and young children under normal and abusive use. 2. EN71-2: Combustibility test This test specifies the types of flammable materials that are prohibited, requiring the tested materials to have a combustion rate that does not exceed the specified limits. For silicone teethers, it is necessary to ensure that their material is non-flammable or has an extremely low combustion rate to reduce the risk of fires. 3. EN71-3: Migration test for specific elements (eight major heavy metals test) This test simulates the potential leaching of heavy metals from toy materials in contact with children's gastric juices and sets maximum limits. Silicone teethers must pass this test to ensure that they do not contain excessive heavy metals, safeguarding the health of infants and young children.

Silicone teether EN71 test process

1. Select a testing agency: Choose a third-party testing agency with EN71 testing qualifications, such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing. 2. Submit samples: Submit the child's painting pigment samples to be tested, including the pigment itself and its packaging container, to the testing agency. 3. Sign the test contract: Sign a formal test contract with the testing agency, specifying the test items, fees, cycle, and other matters. 4. Conduct the test: The testing agency conducts the test according to EN71 standards, including sample pretreatment, experimental operations, data recording, etc. 5. Issue the test report: After the test is completed, the testing agency will issue a detailed test report, clearly indicating whether the product meets the EN71 standards.

Huabiao（GIG） Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete EN71 testing solution. It has passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, and the test data is accurate and reliable. The test report has national/international credibility, helping customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, assisting your products to sell well all over the world.

In recent years, the U.S. CPSIA regulations have been frequently updated, with increasingly stringent requirements. Product recalls due to children's product quality issues have also occurred frequently, causing significant losses for many companies. As a result, meeting the regulatory requirements of the U.S. market has become a major challenge for many children's product manufacturers and exporters, as well as a key factor in winning the U.S. market. Today, the Huabiao Testing team will guide you through the process of CPC and EN71 testing and certification for doll clothing.

Understanding the Importance of CPC and EN71 Testing

CPC is a mandatory certification for the safety of children's products in the U.S. market, proving that the product complies with all applicable consumer product safety rules. EN71, on the other hand, is the European Union's safety standard for toys, covering mechanical and physical properties, flammability, chemical properties, and more.

Choosing a Professional Testing Agency

Before conducting CPC and EN71 testing, selecting a professional testing agency is crucial. Ningbo Huabiao Testing, as a well-known third-party testing agency in China, has extensive experience in toy testing and can provide you with comprehensive testing services.

Preparing Test Samples

According to CPC and EN71 requirements, you need to prepare a certain number of test samples. Ensure that the samples are representative of the final product and in brand-new condition.

Submitting the Testing Application

Contact Ningbo Huabiao Testing to submit your testing application. During the process, you will need to provide detailed product information, sample quantities, estimated testing timeline, and other relevant details.

Conducting the Tests

Ningbo Huabiao Testing will perform a series of tests on your doll clothing based on CPC and EN71 standards. The testing items include but are not limited to:

1. Mechanical and Physical Properties Testing – Evaluates potential hazards such as sharp points, sharp edges, and small parts on the doll clothing.

2. Flammability Testing – Ensures that the doll clothing does not burn too quickly or emit toxic fumes when exposed to a flame.

3. Chemical Testing – Detects harmful chemical substances that may be present in the doll clothing, such as heavy metals, phthalates, formaldehyde, etc.

Obtaining the Test Report

Once testing is completed, Ningbo Huabiao Testing will provide you with a detailed test report. If the product passes all test items, you will receive the CPC certificate and EN71 compliance certificate.

Launching Your Product

With the CPC and EN71 certificates, your doll clothing can smoothly enter the U.S. and EU markets, providing consumers with safe and reliable products.

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?
Huabiao Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offering a complete CPC + EN71 testing solution. Accredited by CMA/CNAS, our testing data is accurate and reliable, with internationally recognized reports. We help clients manage risks and meet market requirements, ensuring your products succeed globally.

With the global market for children's product safety requirements continue to improve, toy safety standards have become an important part of international trade. EN 71 is the European Union specifically for the safety of toys developed standards, covering physical properties, chemical toxicity, combustion risk and other aspects of the testing requirements.Today, the Huabiao Testing team will share the textile EN71 test guide, how to handle the textile EN71 test?

The EN71 testing process for plush toys consists of the following key steps:

1. Application Submission

Manufacturers or importers must submit an application to the certification body, including:

Detailed product specifications

Material composition

Color variants

Design drawings

This information enables the certification body to conduct appropriate testing and evaluation.

2. Sample Testing

Certification bodies conduct comprehensive testing on submitted samples:

Physical & Mechanical Tests

Small parts assessment (preventing choking hazards)

Sharp edge evaluation

Tension and torque tests (ensuring durability)

Chemical Safety Tests

Heavy metal content analysis (Pb, Cd, Hg, etc.)

Phthalates testing

AZO dye detection

Formaldehyde content verification

Flammability Testing

Horizontal flame test

Surface flash assessment

Burning rate measurement

3. Documentation Review

The certification body thoroughly examines all submitted documents to:

Verify technical consistency

Confirm material declarations

Validate test sample representativeness

4. On-Site Inspection (When Required)

For certain cases, certification bodies may conduct factory audits to:

Verify production consistency

Check quality control systems

Confirm manufacturing capabilities

5. Certification Issuance

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the certification body will:

Issue the EN71 certificate

Grant permission for EU market sales

Provide official test reports

Fee Structure

Certification costs are determined by:

Number of material types

Color variations

Testing complexity

Note: Each distinct material/color combination requires separate testing.

Safety Tips for Consumers

When purchasing plush toys, parents should:

Look for the EN71 mark

Check for CE marking

Verify age-appropriate warnings

Examine product labeling completeness

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?

Our accredited laboratory offers:

CPSC-recognized testing services

CMA/CNAS accredited reports

Fast turnaround times

Expert technical consultation

Comprehensive certification solutions

This complete testing process ensures that plush toys meet all EU safety requirements, providing children with safe play experiences while helping manufacturers access European markets.

Huabiao Testing provides comprehensive EN71 Testing solutions with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment. Accredited by CMA/CNAS, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports are internationally recognized. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.