Introduction
This resource serves to introduce toy safety, the UKCA/CE Marks and Crafter’s Market UK’s stance on toy safety.
Toy Safety Regulations
The UK’s Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011/1881 (the “Toy Safety Regulations”) contain the rules on the supply and sale of toy products in the UK. The Toy Safety Regulations set out a number of important requirements on toy safety, labelling, warnings and administrative obligations.
UKCA, UKNI and CE marking
There is a legal requirement for certain products to include these markings within the UK market. These marks are key indicators that the product complies with UK legislation. By including the UKCA mark you (the manufacturer) are declaring conformity with all of the legal requirements to achieve UKCA marking.
UKCA marking may be achieved in two different ways:
- By UK-approved bodies. This means that the manufacturer must use an approved body (such as BSI – the British Standards Institution) to test or review the product to enable the application of the UKCA mark
- Self-declaration. This does not require any independent testing or review and it is therefore the manufacturer’s own statement that they believe the product meets the relevant regulations
If a product requires a UKCA mark but does not have one, it is illegal to place it on the UK market. However, do remember that not all products sold in the UK need to bear UKCA marking.
Does my item need a UKCA/CE mark?
UKCA & CE Marking is used for many products on the market in the UK/EU. It shows that the manufacturer, you, have checked that the product meets the UK and/or EU safety requirements, it provides indication of the products compliance with UK and/or EU legislation and allows the free movement of the product within the GB (UKCA) and EU (inc NI – CE mark) market.
The following flow chart, created by https://www.cemarking-handmadetoys.co.uk, should help you determine if your item requires testing and a UKCA/CE mark and cover the Toys Safety Regulations 2011 S.I. 2011/1881 or Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.
Crafter’s Market UK’s Stance
The Toy Safety Regulations apply to all sorts of toys. Toys are defined as products created/intended for use in play by children under the age of 14. It’s worth noting that the product does not necessarily have to be intended exclusively for play. For example, a key ring with a teddy bear attached or a pram garland/mobile, any item that has potential play function, being attractive or advertised for children can also fall under the scope of the Toy Safety Regulation.
Crafter’s Market UK reserves the right to query products listed within the marketplace and take necessary action should the product(s) be deemed untested/unsafe without notice.
Helpful Resources, Links, and References
- Find your Local Trading Standards
- Product safety: due diligence
- Business Companion Guide on Toys
- Is my make a toy, or a decorative item?
- CE & UKCA Soft Toy Support (Facebook)
Quick Notes
- Dummy clips will often need BSEN 12586:2007+A1:2011 / EN71-2 & EN71-3
Please note
This information is intended for guidance; only the courts can give an authoritative interpretation of the law.