FAQ

Introduction

UKCA-EN71 certification is essential for toy manufacturers seeking to enter the UK market. The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark, introduced on January 1, 2021, replaces the CE mark in Great Britain, while EN71 standards ensure toy safety. This guide outlines the importance of UKCA-EN71 certification and the steps to obtain it.

Importance of UKCA-EN71 Certification

• UKCA Certification: Serves as a compliance mark for products sold in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland), ensuring adherence to UK safety regulations.

• EN71 Certification: A rigorous European toy safety standard covering:

• Physical and mechanical properties (e.g., no sharp edges or small parts).

• Flammability (e.g., fire resistance).

• Chemical properties (e.g., limits on heavy metals and hazardous substances).

Together, UKCA-EN71 certification ensures toys are safe for children and compliant with UK market requirements, facilitating market access and consumer trust.

Key Testing Requirements

To achieve UKCA-EN71 certification, toys must pass third-party testing by a UKCA-accredited laboratory. Key EN71 standards include:

• EN71-1: Physical and mechanical safety (e.g., choking hazards, sharp edges).

• EN71-2: Flammability (e.g., ensuring toys do not ignite easily).

• EN71-3: Migration of hazardous elements (e.g., lead, cadmium).

• Additional standards (e.g., EN71-9 for organic compounds) may apply based on materials.

How to Obtain UKCA-EN71 Certification

Follow these steps to certify your toys:

1. Consultation and Application

• Contact a UKCA-accredited testing agency (e.g., Huabiao Testing) for guidance.

• Submit an application form with product details (e.g., material composition, age group).

• Provide 2–3 toy samples for testing.

2. Quotation and Agreement

• The agency determines applicable EN71 standards, testing costs, and timeline (typically 5–10 business days).

• Sign the service agreement and make the payment.

3. Testing Execution

• The laboratory tests the toy for compliance with EN71 standards and UKCA requirements, including physical, chemical, and flammability tests.

• Additional UKCA-specific checks, such as labeling, are performed.

4. Technical Documentation and Declaration

• Compile a technical file with test reports, risk assessments, and manufacturing details.

• Issue a UK Declaration of Conformity, signed by the manufacturer or importer.

• Affix the UKCA mark to the toy or its packaging.

5. Report Issuance

• Receive a test report confirming compliance. Retain the technical file and report for 10 years for regulatory audits.

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?

Huabiao Testing offers comprehensive UKCA-EN71 certification solutions with an experienced technical team and advanced equipment. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our accurate and reliable testing data and internationally recognized reports help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and achieve global market success.

In the globalized trade landscape, the safety of children’s products remains a top priority for parents, manufacturers, and regulatory authorities. The Children’s Product Certificate (CPC), a mandatory requirement for children’s products in the U.S. market, serves as a critical “passport” for businesses entering this market. As a professional testing agency, we understand the importance of CPC certification and are committed to providing efficient and accurate certification services to ensure the safety and compliance of children’s products.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on why teething toys require CPC certification and the associated costs.

Why Do Teething Toys Require CPC Certification?

Babies love to explore the world with their mouths, and teething toys, which are directly placed in their mouths, must prioritize safety:

Material Safety: Inferior materials may contain harmful substances, posing risks to a baby’s health.

Structural Safety: Small parts that detach easily can present a choking hazard, while sharp edges may injure a baby.

Hygiene Safety: Poorly designed products can harbor bacteria, compromising a baby’s health.

CPC certification ensures that teething toys comply with U.S. safety standards, such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and ASTM F963, by verifying that they are free from hazardous substances (e.g., lead, phthalates) and meet physical and mechanical safety requirements. This certification is mandatory for all children’s products intended for children 12 years and younger, protecting both consumers and businesses by ensuring legal compliance and market access.

How Much Does CPC Certification for Teething Toys Cost?

The cost of CPC certification for teething toys varies depending on factors such as the product’s material, structural complexity, and the number of required test items.

Additional Considerations:

If the product fails initial testing, retesting may incur additional costs, and extra samples may be required.

Some laboratories or consultants may charge professional fees for drafting the CPC document, though drafting the CPC itself is free if done by the manufacturer or importer. 

Costs may vary depending on the testing laboratory’s location (e.g., U.S. vs. China) and its accreditation status.

Testing Cycle: The certification process generally takes 3–7 business days, depending on the test items and the laboratory’s schedule. If retesting is needed, the timeline may extend.

Huabiao Testing: Your Trusted Partner for CPC Certification

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive CPC certification solutions for teething toys. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.

In modern catering and household settings, food contact materials, as items that directly interact with food, have a significant impact on consumer health due to their material safety. According to international food safety standards, all materials that may come into contact with food must undergo rigorous testing to ensure that no harmful substances migrate into the food. Professional testing evaluates the chemical stability of items like cutlery under various conditions (e.g., high temperatures, acidic environments) to prevent the infiltration of hazardous components such as heavy metals or plasticizers into food.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on how to handle FCM (Food Contact Material) testing for wine corks.

Background and Importance of FCM Testing for Wine Corks

Wine corks, used to seal various types of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are food contact materials whose safety directly affects wine quality and consumer health. Corks are typically made from natural cork, synthetic materials, or composite materials, which may contain migratory substances such as volatile organic compounds, plasticizers, azo dyes, or heavy metals. If these substances migrate beyond permissible limits, they may pose potential health risks. Conducting FCM testing to verify compliance with relevant regulatory standards is critical for businesses to operate in accordance with regulations.

Key Testing Items for Wine Corks

In addition to composition analysis, FCM testing for wine corks includes the following key testing items:

Overall Migration Testing: This evaluates the total amount of substances migrating from the cork material under specific solvent conditions, typically using a water-ethanol mixture to simulate alcoholic environments. Through immersion testing, the total migration is measured to ensure it is below the EU’s limit of 10 mg/dm².

Specific Migration Testing: This targets specific hazardous substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, azo dyes, monomers, and additives, ensuring their migration levels comply with standards such as GB, FDA, and LFGB.

Physical Performance Testing: This includes assessing moisture content, density, air permeability, and elasticity to verify the physical stability and sealing performance of the cork in actual use, preventing wine oxidation or leakage due to material degradation.

Sensory Evaluation: Professional evaluators conduct visual, olfactory, and taste tests to ensure that the cork or its migratory substances do not affect the original flavor of the wine.

Alcohol Resistance and Microbial Testing: This verifies the cork material’s resistance to alcohol corrosion and its antibacterial properties, ensuring no harmful microbial growth occurs during long-term storage.

GIG Testing: Your Trusted Partner for REACH Testing

GIG Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive FCM testing solutions for food contact materials. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.

With growing global consumer awareness of health and environmental concerns, the European Union introduced the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in 2007. This regulation aims to enhance the safety management of chemicals and reduce the impact of hazardous substances on human health and the environment. REACH testing ensures that chemicals produced and sold by companies comply with these regulatory requirements.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on the special requirements for REACH testing of tableware and the process for conducting such tests.

Special Requirements for REACH Testing of Tableware

Composition Analysis: The materials used in tableware must be analyzed to identify their components, particularly metals that may be harmful to human health, such as chromium and nickel, ensuring their levels comply with specified limits.

Migration Testing: This evaluates the amount of hazardous substances that may migrate from tableware into food during contact.

Toxicological Evaluation: Chemical substances involved in the production of tableware must undergo toxicological assessment based on their potential biological activity to ensure the tableware is safe for users.

Heavy Metal Testing: REACH regulations impose strict limits on heavy metal concentrations. Testing is required to determine the total content of heavy metals in tableware, ensuring compliance with these requirements.

How to Handle REACH Testing for Tableware?

Preliminary Preparation

Submit a REACH testing application form and provide detailed product information, including product manuals, component lists, etc. Additionally, prepare 2-3 samples for testing.

Quotation and Agreement Signing

The testing agency will review the provided information, and engineers will determine the testing standards, timeline, and costs. After the applicant confirms the quotation, they sign the application form and service agreement and make the relevant payment.

Testing Execution

The laboratory conducts comprehensive testing on the tableware based on relevant EU standards. The tests focus on identifying potentially hazardous chemical substances in the product to ensure compliance with REACH regulations.

Report and Certificate Issuance

Upon completion of testing, the testing agency issues a test report. After the project is finalized, a REACH test report is provided, certifying that the tableware has passed REACH testing and complies with EU chemical safety standards.

Huabiao Testing: Your Trusted Partner for REACH Testing

GIG Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive REACH testing solutions for tableware. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.

The market demand for children's jewelry is robust, with children's necklaces being particularly popular among parents and children for their aesthetic appeal and fun designs. However, to ensure the safety of children's products, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) imposes stringent requirements on the chemical and physical safety of items like children's necklaces.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on what CPSIA testing is and how to handle comprehensive CPSIA chemical testing for leather children's shoes.

CPSIA: A Robust Shield for Children's Consumer Product Safety

The CPSIA, or the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, was officially signed into law by U.S. President George W. Bush on August 14, 2008. This act significantly amended the original Consumer Product Safety Act, fundamentally reshaping the U.S. consumer product safety regulatory framework. The CPSIA aims to strictly regulate the quality and safety of children's products entering the U.S. market, mandating that every children's product obtain safety certification from a third-party testing agency accredited by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). As an essential item in children's daily wear, leather children's shoes naturally fall under the CPSIA's rigorous oversight.

Why Conduct CPSIA Testing for Leather Children's Shoes?

Protecting Children's Health: Leather children's shoes that pass comprehensive CPSIA chemical testing offer reliable assurance of chemical safety. Parents can feel confident allowing their children to wear these shoes, reducing the risk of health issues caused by exposure to harmful substances. This ensures every step a child takes is healthy and safe.

Aligning with International Safety Standards: The CPSIA is a globally influential consumer product safety regulation, representing high safety standards. Choosing leather children's shoes that comply with CPSIA testing means providing children with safety assurances that meet international benchmarks, offering superior protection for their growth.

Promoting Industry Standards: As consumers increasingly prioritize CPSIA testing for leather children's shoes, the entire children's footwear industry is encouraged to focus on product quality and safety. This drives companies to adopt more environmentally friendly and safer raw materials and production processes, fostering standardized and healthy industry development.

When selecting leather children's shoes, always check whether the product has passed comprehensive CPSIA chemical testing. This is not only a responsible choice for children's health but also a practical step toward creating a safe and healthy environment for their growth. Let us work together, using rigorous testing standards, to build a strong safety barrier for children's footsteps, allowing them to run freely and carefree on their journey of growth.

Huabiao Testing: Your Trusted CPSIA Testing Partner

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and state-of-the-art testing equipment, provides comprehensive CPSIA testing solutions. Certified with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.

The market demand for children's jewelry is strong, with children's necklaces being particularly popular among parents and children due to their aesthetic appeal and fun designs. However, to ensure the safety of children's jewelry, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) imposes strict requirements on the chemical and physical safety of children's necklaces.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on what CPSIA testing entails and recommends a reliable institution for CPSIA cadmium content testing for imitation jewelry.

Understanding CPSIA Standards

The CPSIA, or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, is a critical law aimed at ensuring the safety of children's products. This legislation sets upper limits for the content of heavy metals in children's products. Specifically, the cadmium content must not exceed 100 ppm (parts per million). Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd., with its professional technical expertise, is capable of effectively testing the cadmium content in imitation jewelry to ensure compliance with CPSIA standards.

How to Obtain CPSC Certification in the U.S.?

Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd. follows these key steps for cadmium content testing in imitation jewelry:

Sample Collection: Random sampling of imitation jewelry is conducted based on client requirements.

Pre-treatment: Samples undergo appropriate chemical processing to ensure effective extraction of cadmium.

Testing Analysis: Advanced equipment, such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) or Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), is used for testing.

Result Evaluation: Test results are compared against CPSIA standards to determine compliance.

Report Feedback: Upon completion, clients receive a detailed testing report.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and state-of-the-art testing equipment, provides comprehensive CPSIA testing solutions. Certified with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.