Looking to start your own toy business? Here’s our useful guide on plush toys certifications
Firstly, determine whether your toys are to be for retail or for promotional giveaway, as standards for manufacturing and testings are not the same. Retail plushies need certified tests, whereas promotional plushies do not necessary need the certifications.
Moreover, toy safety standards tests should be carried out to meet international regulations. Please, use the following guide to get the idea of testing process and elements. However, you should remember, that it’s always the importer that is ultimately responsible for checking the legislation in their own country and ensuring compliance. Here in ODM we can help you to pass all testings needed, but you need to investigate the rules of importing toys to your specific country very clearly before you proceed with production.
Plush Toys Certifications and Labelling
Plush toys certification standards vary from region to region, differing in the EU and the United States for example. Generally, some basic tests in laboratories should be taken – see information below.
Different plush toys certifications for USA, Canada and EU:
- USA
In the US we should follow ASTM tests, which includes:
– Mechanical/physical testing : ASTM F963-1
– Flammability testing : ASTM F963-2
– Chemical testing (8 kinds of heavy metal) : ASTM F963-3
Then CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act):
– Lead and phthalates test
– Labeling test
- Canada
The Canadian toy standards are regulated by the CCPSA:
– Physical and mechanical testing : CCPSA SOR 2011-17-1
– Combustion testing: CCPSA SOR 2011-17-2
– Chemical testing (5 kinds of heavy metals): CCPSA SOR 2011-17-3
– Lead and mercury testing
- European Union
The EU the toy safety will be regulated by the EN71
– Physical and institutional performance : EN71-1
– Combustion performance : EN71-2
– Chemical performance (19 kinds of heavy metal) : EN71-3
After passing the three tests of EN71, you can get the CE mark. It is vital for plush toys to bear a CE mark as it is a symbol of compliance to European health, safety and environmental standards.
Overall, it is important to have in mind and understand the different safety toy standards for the USA, Canada and EU to avoid your goods being seized.
Once you’re clear which countries you wish to sell toys to and know which certificates you need to obtain, you must also be aware of the pricing for these certifications.
Testing costs will depend on the number of different kinds of materials and the number of colours used in your plush toy.
The laboratory will cut the pieces of each kind of material and test them according to the parameters mentioned before (heavy metals, flammability etc.). Please note that the embroidery (such as eyes, mouth line etc.) on the product do not require testing.
Therefore, you need to understand that the cost for passing the certificates usually cannot be included into the unit price at the first quotation stage. We need to produce and approve the initial prototype to see how many colours and types of materials are used in it. Then we will send the prototype to our Authorised Laboratory in China, which will quote the costs accordingly.
ODM chooses to work only with factories that use high-quality materials guaranteed to pass all plush toys certifications.
Plush Toys Certifications and Labelling
After testings have been distinguished, working on label designs will be the next step before commencing production.
Rules for Labelling Plush Toys:
Information and languages placed on fabric labels will vary depending on the country you will be selling them in.
Points to include:
- Client’s logo
- Website
- Origin (Made in China + Province for some countries)
- Date of Production
- Production Number (Invoice)
- Composition
- Mark “All new materials”
- Name and address of importer or distributor
- Icons about Washing only by hand, Do not iron, Dry clean
- Age mark (3+, 0+)
- List of certifications obtained
We have put together a template you can use for reference:
Plush Toys Certifications and Labelling
Feel free to contact us for more details by email at [email protected]
If you’re interested in finding out more about plush toys production and would like to know information on sampling, then check out this page: Key information about promotional plush toys.
At ODM, we have significant experience in product design, sourcing and manufacturing. Also, we can effectively assist with your marketing budgets. Make sure to contact us for more information on equipment promo ideas.
Please find below some plushies ideas:
