How Do You Confirm EN 71 for Wooden Toys When Sourcing from China?

Updated October 2026 By Ninghai Bohong Arts & Crafts Co., Ltd.

Ask the supplier for the full test report of the exact model you are buying, issued by an accredited third-party laboratory, covering EN 71-1, EN 71-2 and EN 71-3, and check that the report names the product, the age grading and the standard editions tested. A report is evidence for one tested model, not for a supplier’s whole range, and it does not make the toy CE marked by itself.

This guide explains what the three parts test, who holds which document, what to put in your request, and where responsibility for CE marking sits when you import or sell under your own brand. It covers the EU. The UK and the US have their own toy rules, which are outside this guide. It is not legal advice.

What do EN 71-1, -2 and -3 cover?

EN 71 is the European toy safety standard series, developed by CEN. Three parts matter for most wooden toys:

Part	Subject	Typical relevance to wooden toys
EN 71-1	Mechanical and physical properties	Small parts, sharp edges and points, splinters, stability, age-related warnings
EN 71-2	Flammability	Behaviour of the toy and its materials in fire tests
EN 71-3	Migration of certain elements	Limits on the migration of certain elements, relevant to paints, varnishes and stains on the toy

The standards are harmonised under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. Using them gives manufacturers a presumption of conformity with the matching safety requirements. Editions change: CEN has a new EN 71-1 edition in preparation, so name the edition in your purchase specification.

Other parts of the series (for example EN 71-4 on chemistry sets) apply only to specific toy types.

Who holds the test report, and who holds what else?

Several documents are in play, and they sit with different people:

Document	Normally held by	What you should receive
Test report (EN 71-1, -2, -3)	The party that ordered the test, usually the supplier or manufacturer	A full copy, not a summary page
Technical documentation	The manufacturer	Access on request for you and market surveillance authorities
EU declaration of conformity	Manufacturer issues; importer keeps a copy	A signed copy naming the toy model and the Directive
CE marking on toy or packaging	Affixed by the manufacturer	Visible on the product, a label or the packaging
Importer name and address on the toy	Importer	Added to the toy or pack

The European Commission states that the manufacturer affixes the CE marking and the importer checks that it is present, keeps a copy of the declaration of conformity, adds its own name and address, and confirms that instructions, warnings and a traceability identifier are in place. A brand owner that sells a toy under its own name or trademark is generally treated as the manufacturer under EU rules, which makes it responsible for the technical file. Check the Directive text, or ask your counsel, before you rely on that point.

What should you ask the supplier for?

Put these in the RFQ:

The model name and article number, and a photo of the tested sample.
The full report for EN 71-1, -2 and -3, with the lab name, report number, date and standard editions.
The age grading tested (for example “3 years and over”).
The EU declaration of conformity, if the supplier issues one, and the technical-file contents on request.
A statement of which finishes, colours and materials were on the tested sample.
Confirmation that production will use the same materials, paints and parts as the tested sample.
If you change size, colour, coating or wood species, a plan to re-test or a written assessment of the change.

Do not accept a report for a similar product, a certificate with no report behind it, or a report whose sample photo does not match what you ordered.

What does the CE marking responsibility look like for an importer or brand?

CE marking is the manufacturer’s declaration that the toy meets the Directive’s requirements. Having a lab report is one input. The manufacturer must also complete a safety assessment (including chemical, flammability, physical and mechanical risks) and compile the technical documentation. As importer, you place a compliant toy on the market only if you have checked the marking, the declaration of conformity, your name and address on the toy, and the warnings.

If you commission a custom design under your brand, plan the re-testing and the technical file with your supplier from the start. Add testing time to the lead time. See OEM / ODM & custom.

New rules are coming. Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 on the safety of toys entered into force on 1 January 2026, repeals Directive 2009/48/EC and applies from 1 August 2030. It adds a digital product passport. Until then products are placed on the market under the existing Directive.

Which Bohong products have EN 71 reports?

Two tested models are on file, both EN 71-1, -2, -3, result pass, ages 3 and up:

A children’s wooden stool: report and conformity certificate by DL Testing, July 2026, under Directive 2009/48/EC. See the kids’ wooden stool.
A wooden reward star badge: report by Bureau Veritas (Zhejiang), April 2026.

Testing for other models, such as balance boards, balance beams and tumbling towers, is arranged per order, against your market and age grading. We do not claim EN 71 or CE for models without a test report. Products that are not toys, such as furniture, trays and boxes, carry no toy claims. For products intended for children under 3, we make no safety claim. The full picture is on the Certifications page.

What are the common mistakes?

Treating a report on one model as a certificate for the supplier’s catalogue.
Not checking that the age grading on the report matches the age you market the toy for.
Accepting a report without the sample photo or standard edition.
Changing a coating or wood species after testing without re-assessment.
Assuming a CE mark on a product photo means the file exists.

Testing for a new model is arranged per order with a third-party laboratory; we have worked with Bureau Veritas and DL Testing. Testing typically takes one to two weeks after the samples reach the lab. Cost, and whether the report is issued in your company’s name, are agreed with your quote. Until a report exists for your model, we make no EN 71 or CE claim for it.

FAQ

Does Bohong have CE for all its toys?

No. Tested models have reports; testing for other models is arranged per order. We do not claim EN 71 or CE for models without a report.

Who puts the CE mark on the toy?

The manufacturer. The importer checks that it is there, and checks the declaration of conformity and the other items listed above.

Is EN 71 enough to sell a toy in the EU?

No. It is the technical standard. The manufacturer must also assess the toy’s risks, keep the technical documentation and issue the declaration of conformity.

Can I get a report in my own name?

Testing for new or custom models is arranged per order. Tell us your model and your market and we confirm how it would be handled.

Does EN 71 cover wooden toys for babies?

EN 71 applies to toys, but products for children under 3 are subject to additional requirements and warnings. We make no safety claim for under-3 products. Ask us before you plan one.

How does testing for a new model work?

It is arranged per order with a third-party laboratory (we have worked with Bureau Veritas and DL Testing) and typically takes one to two weeks after the samples reach the lab. Cost, and whether the report is issued in your company’s name, are agreed with your quote.

Sources

Official and public sources used for this guide.