EU EN71 testing and certification for artificial leather chess
Date：2025-08-27 09:47:32 Classification
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The complete EN71 testing and certification process and key points for artificial leather chess pieces exported to the EU are summarized in light of the EU Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and third-party testing practices:
I. Core Testing Items (Based on EN71 Standards)
1. Physical and Mechanical Properties (EN71-1)
- Testing Content: Small parts (to prevent swallowing risk), sharp edges, tension/torsion (connection strength between chess pieces and board), and drop test (simulating wear and tear).
- Chess Key Points: Stability of board fixings and chess piece size (must be greater than 3cm to prevent accidental swallowing).
2. Flame Retardancy (EN71-2)
- Artificial leather materials must be tested for burning velocity, with a limit of ≤30mm/s (for plush/fabric materials).
3. Chemical Migration (EN71-3)
- Testing for 19 migratable heavy metals (such as lead, cadmium, and mercury), with strict limits (lead ≤23mg/kg).
- Special requirements for artificial leather: Plasticizers (phthalates) and organic solvent residues (e.g., DMF) require additional testing.
4. Organic Compounds (EN71-9/10/11)
- For adhesives and colorants in artificial leather, test for harmful substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and azo dyes (AZO).
II. Certification Process
1. Preliminary Preparation
- Provide a product bill of materials (BOM), specifying ingredients such as artificial leather, ink, and adhesives.
- Prepare technical documents: product instructions, design drawings, and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) template.
2. Sample Submission for Testing
- Sample Requirements:
- 2-3 complete chess sets (including chessboard and pieces);
- Provide a separate artificial leather fabric sample (10×10 cm).
- Laboratory Selection: EU-accredited testing agencies (e.g., Dezewei Testing) are preferred.
3. Testing and Reporting
- Turnaround: 5-7 business days (expedited processing can be reduced to 3 days).
- Fee: Approximately ¥1,000-2,000 for the three basic tests (EN71-1-3).
4. Result Processing
- Pass: The laboratory will issue an EN71 test report in both Chinese and English plus a CE certificate.
- Fail: Retest after adjusting the material (e.g., changing the artificial leather coating or adhesive).
5. CE Marking
- Clearly mark the CE mark on the product packaging and instructions, along with a DoC.
III. Key Considerations
1. Responsible Party
- Non-EU companies must register through an Only Representative (OR); otherwise, customs clearance will be impossible.
2. Dynamic Compliance
- The EN71 standard is updated annually (e.g., new formaldehyde limits were added in 2025). It is recommended to subscribe to updates from the ECHA official website or testing agencies.
3. Labeling Requirements
- Packaging must include: the CE mark, the manufacturer's address, and an age warning (e.g., "For ages 6 and up").
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