What is CE Certification? Which Certifications Are Required for Exporting Electronic Sound Toys to Europe?

In today’s increasingly globalized world, CE certification serves as the “passport” for products entering the European market. For companies and individuals seeking CE certification services, understanding the billing process, fee structure, and factors influencing costs is crucial. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing explains what CE certification entails and which certifications are required for exporting electronic sound toys to Europe, providing a detailed breakdown of this complex yet essential process to help you plan your budget and ensure a smooth certification process.

What is CE Certification?

CE certification is a mandatory safety certification mark for the EU market, acting as a “passport” for products to enter the European Union and European Economic Area (EEA) markets. It signifies that a product complies with the essential safety, health, and environmental protection requirements of relevant EU directives, representing the minimum legal requirements for products in these markets.

Benefits of CE Certification

1. Enhanced Trust: A CE certificate issued by an EU-designated body significantly boosts confidence among consumers and market regulatory authorities.

2. Protection Against Unfounded Claims: CE certification helps prevent irresponsible allegations regarding product safety.

3. Legal Evidence in Litigation: In the event of legal disputes, a CE certificate from an EU-designated body serves as legally binding technical evidence.

4. Shared Risk: If an EU certification body faces penalties from EU authorities, it shares the risk with the company, reducing the enterprise’s liability.

CE Certification Process

1. Application: Submit an application form with company details and product information.

2. Quotation: The certification body determines the testing standards, duration, and associated costs based on the provided information.

3. Payment: The applicant confirms the quotation, signs the application form and service agreement, and pays the full project fee.

4. Testing: The laboratory conducts comprehensive tests on the product based on relevant EU standards, which may include physical performance tests, chemical composition analysis, and flammability tests, as well as tests for differences between related models.

5. Test Report Completion: If the product passes the tests and meets the standards, the certification body issues a test report.

6. Issuance of CE Certificate: Upon project completion, the certification body issues the CE certificate, confirming compliance with CE requirements.

Certifications Required for Exporting Electronic Sound Toys to Europe

Electronic sound toys, designed for children under 14 years old, must comply with multiple EU directives to obtain CE certification and access the European market. The key certifications and directives include:

1. EN71 (Toy Safety Standards):
   The EN71 series (EN71-1 to EN71-14) is the EU’s toy safety standard, mandatory for toys intended for children under 14. It covers:

• Mechanical and Physical Safety (EN71-1): Ensures no sharp edges, small parts, or entanglement risks to prevent injuries like cuts, choking, or strangulation.

• Flammability (EN71-2): Assesses the burning behavior of materials to avoid rapid combustion or toxic smoke.

• Chemical Properties (EN71-3): Tests for migration of hazardous substances like lead, cadmium, and phthalates.

• Electrical Safety (EN71-11, if applicable): Ensures electronic components do not pose risks like overheating or electrical leakage.

2. Low Voltage Directive (LVD, 2014/35/EU):
   Since electronic sound toys contain electrical components (e.g., sound modules, batteries), they must comply with the LVD for equipment operating at 50–1000V AC or 75–1500V DC. Relevant standards include:

• EN 62115: Safety requirements for electric toys, covering insulation, grounding, and leakage current.

• EN 60598-1 (if applicable): General safety for lighting components, if the toy includes lighting elements.

3. Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC, 2014/30/EU):
   Ensures the toy’s electronic components do not cause electromagnetic interference. Relevant standards include:

• EN 55014-1: Electromagnetic emissions.

• EN 55014-2: Electromagnetic immunity.

4. RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU):
   Restricts the use of hazardous substances (e.g., lead, mercury, cadmium) in electronic and electrical equipment. Toys with electronic components must comply with EN 50581 for material composition assessment.

5. REACH Regulation (EC 1907/2006):
   Regulates chemicals in products, including Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Tests ensure that materials like plastics or coatings do not contain harmful substances above permitted limits.

6. Battery Directive (2006/66/EC):
   If the toy uses batteries, it must comply with requirements for battery safety, labeling, and recycling.

7. CE Marking and Declaration of Conformity (DoC):
   Upon passing all required tests, the toy must bear the CE mark, and the manufacturer must issue a DoC, confirming compliance with all applicable EU directives (e.g., Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, LVD, EMC, RoHS).

Additional Considerations for Electronic Sound Toys

• Age-Specific Requirements: Toys for children under 3 years (e.g., musical rattles) face stricter requirements due to higher risks of choking or ingestion.

• Packaging and Labeling: Include permanent tracking labels (e.g., manufacturer, batch, date) and warnings (e.g., “Not suitable for children under 3 without adult supervision”).

• Third-Party Testing: Tests must be conducted by an accredited laboratory (e.g., with CMA/CNAS or EU Notified Body status) to ensure credibility.

• Market-Specific Compliance: While CE certification is sufficient for the EU/EEA, additional certifications (e.g., CPSIA for the U.S.) may be needed for global Amazon platforms.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive CE certification solutions for electronic sound toys. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.