Intertek:
Intertek, a one-stop-shop for toy compliance verification through Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification services in any target market in the world, supports the needs of companies through the Total Quality Assurance approach. In this way, thanks to the technical expertise of our specialists and global network of laboratories, we can identify the best strategies to reduce risks and manage the supply chain.
The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, the UKCA – United Kingdom Conformity Assessment program (for which Intertek is Approved Body), the CPSA – Consumer Product Safety Act (USA and Canada), GB standards (China) and the GTTR Regulation (Gulf countries) are just some of the main regulations currently into force around the world, to the requirements of which toy manufacturers must ensure – prior to market thereof – the compliance of their products.
Intertek supports companies in protecting their brand through comprehensive solutions to bring compliant products to market such as:
- Laboratory testing according to EN, ISO, ASTM, SOR, GB, GSO, AS/NZS, IS, TCVN standards, etc.
- Physical mechanical testing
- Chemical tests
- Flammability tests
- Electrical safety tests
- Directive 2009/48/EC compliance testing
- UKCA compliance testing
- CPSIA/CCPSA compliance testing
- Testing of compliance of tracking labels for USA and Canada
- Testing of gadgets and promotional items
- Verification of compliance with target market requirements (e.g., GCC Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, etc.)
- Risk assessment
- Verification of labeling
- Pre-production, intra-production, and point-of-sale inspections
- Audits to suppliers in more than 100 countries
Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC
In the European Union, the reference legislation on toy safety is Directive 2009/48/EC. Compliance with the European Directive and the proper functioning of the toy market are ensured by harmonized safety standards and minimum supervisory requirements such as the EN 71 series standards and the EN 62115 standard, which indicate the test specifications to which toys must be subjected to verify their compliance with the Directive and affix the CE marking. Intertek conducts the tests to verify physical-mechanical, chemical, and electrical safety and flammability requirements as specified by the Directive and the EN 71 series and EN 62115 standards.
Chemical testing
The determination of harmful, hazardous, or prohibited substances is a common requirement of toy regulations in different countries around the world. Intertek provides testing services to verify the absence of such substances and compliance with the limits set by the most up-to-date regulations. In Europe, in addition to the Toys Directive, the REACH Regulation restricts the use of certain substances under Annex XVII such as phthalates. The Regulation obliges your suppliers to inform you about the possible presence of these Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) in the products they supply, just as you must, in turn, inform your customers/distributors. Chemical analysis demonstrating the compliance of your product can be carried out at our laboratories.
Solutions for different markets around the world
Each country has specific technical regulations that establish the compliance requirements for toys and determine how they are verified; this means that compliance with European regulations does not automatically imply compliance with the rules in force in other markets. For the Chinese market, for example, it is necessary to verify safety, labeling, and conformity with the physical-mechanical, flammability, and chemical migration requirements of toy standard GB 6675-2014 in the context of the China Compulsory Certificate (CCC). In Hong Kong, the Toy’s and Children Products Safety Ordinance (Cap. 424) is in force, and in the Gulf Countries (GCC), Saudi Arabia, Russia, Japan, Brazil, etc., there are other regulations still in place. Intertek is by your side to verify the compliance of your toys, in whatever market you want to operate.
Company contacts:
Dario Bianchi
e-mail: dario.bianchi@intertek.com
Tel: +39 338 657 0065
Indirizzo: Via di Stagno 17/F, 50055 Lastra a Signa (FI)
e-mail: italia@intertek.com
