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.

Q1: What is Amazon’s “Direct Verification”?A1: This is a new requirement from Amazon for certain product categories, such as children’s toys. Sellers can no longer claim compliance on their own; instead, the compliance must be verified by a third-party testing institution recognized by Amazon, which will then report the results directly to Amazon.Q2: Which products will be affected?A2: This mainly applies to products related to children, such as toys, children’s clothing, and maternal and baby products. The specific requirements will be announced on the Amazon platform.Q3: Can I still use the EN71 test reports I obtained previously?A3: Not necessarily. Amazon requires that the reports be no more than one year old; the final decision will be made by the TIC institution.Q4: What are Amazon’s TIC institutions?A4: These are independent third-party testing, inspection, and certification organizations that have been approved by Amazon. They are the ones responsible for implementing “Direct Verification.”Q5: What is the process for “Direct Verification”?A5: It’s a simple three-step process: The seller receives the notification → Creates a TRF and selects a TIC institution to submit the required documents → The TIC institution completes the verification and updates Amazon directly with the compliance status.Q6: What do I need to provide to the TIC institution?A6: This typically includes product samples, existing test reports, technical documents, compliance statements, user manuals, and more.Q7: What if my product does not have a CE mark?A7: It is almost certain that the product will not pass the verification. The CE mark is a legal requirement for products sold in the European Union and represents the minimum standard of compliance.Q8: How long does the DV verification take?A8: The time taken depends on the complexity of the product and the workflow of the TIC institution, but it usually takes several weeks. It is recommended to plan in advance to avoid stockouts.Q9: Who covers the cost of verification?A9: The seller is responsible for covering the cost of verification.Q10: What are the consequences of not completing “Direct Verification”?A10: Products that have not completed verification within the specified time frame will have their listings removed by Amazon, and sales can only be resumed once compliance is achieved.

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 US CPSIA regulations have been updated frequently, with increasingly strict requirements. Product recalls due to quality issues with children's products have also occurred frequently, causing significant losses to many companies. Therefore, how to meet the increasingly stringent market regulatory requirements of the US has become a difficult challenge for many child product manufacturers and exporters, and it is also key to winning the US market. Today, Xiaobian from Huabiao Testing will introduce you to the EN71 testing services provided by Ningbo Huabiao Testing for cross-border e-commerce.

What is EN71 testing?EN71 testing is a series of safety tests based on the European Toy Safety Standard (EN71). This standard is established by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) and aims to ensure that toys meet safety requirements in terms of mechanics, physics, chemistry, and flammability, thereby reducing the safety risks that children may face while playing. It is a mandatory safety standard for toys for children under 14 years old in the EU, and all toys entering the EU market must pass certification and be marked with a CE mark according to the EU's 'Toy Safety Directive' 2009/48/EC.

EN71 testing services provided by Ningbo Huabiao TestingThe EN71 testing services provided by Ningbo Huabiao Testing can help you fully understand whether your product meets the safety requirements of the EU market. Our services include, but are not limited to: · Mechanical and physical testing: Assessing the sharp points, edges, small parts, pressure tests, tensile tests, etc., of toys to ensure that they will not harm children during normal use. · Combustion testing: Testing the flammability and flame spread properties of toy materials to assess the safety of toys when exposed to a fire source. · Chemical testing: Analyzing harmful chemicals in toy materials, such as heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.), phthalates, formaldehyde, etc., to ensure that toys do not pose a threat to children's health. · Certification consulting: Providing professional certification consultation and guidance to help you understand and meet the regulatory requirements of different countries and regions.

Why choose Ningbo Huabiao Testing?1. Professional team: We have an experienced testing team that can provide you with accurate and efficient testing services. 2. Advanced equipment: Our laboratory is equipped with advanced testing equipment to ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results. 3. One-stop service: From testing to certification, we offer a one-stop solution that simplifies your certification process, saving time and cost. 4. International recognition: Our test reports and certification results are widely recognized internationally, helping your products smoothly enter the global market.

Huabiao（GIG） Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete EN71 testing solution. We have passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, and our test data is accurate and reliable. Our test reports have national/international credibility, helping customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, aiding your products to sell well globally.