Making toys
Everything you need to know about making and selling toys (it’s not just as simple as making and then selling)
In the UK, it is a legal requirement for any item that is considered to have a play value to be tested to ensure that it is safe for children, before being sold.
This involves testing against the European safety standard EN71, which is also a UKCA requirement. This process covers physical and mechanical safety, flammability, and chemical properties.
You can either self-certify by self-testing, or send the item to an accredited laboratory for professional testing. Both processes will provide you with the appropriate documentation needed to obtain the UKCA mark.
What is the UKCA mark?
The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed) mark is a product mark found on items sold within Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) that identifies items that comply with UK product safety, health, and environmental regulations.
It was introduced after Brexit to replace Europe’s CE mark, and it is the responsibility of the item maker to affix the mark to their product(s).
Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011
This is the UK law that sets out the essential safety requirements for toys intended for children under 14, to ensure they are safe for use.
Under this law, businesses must comply with the regulations set out by providing necessary labels, such as the manufacturer's name and address, batch numbers, and the UKCA mark.
Find out more on the Gov.uk website here.
Consequences of selling without testing:
If you don’t UKCA test your toys, you are at risk of having your stock seized by Trading Standards, being prosecuted, fined and you may even face imprisonment. Selling toys that have not been tested, no matter how small of a scale you may be operating from, is illegal.
“I only make toys to sell at small, local markets and on Facebook. Does this apply to me?”
Yes. Any toy made with the intention to be sold must be UKCA tested. Many toy makers out there are unaware of what is needed to make and sell toys legally, but this is an aspect that must be taken seriously.
UKCA marking your creations isn’t a mark of “quality”, it is a mark to say that your items meet the minimum standards set out in the EN71 (regulations for toys) - and it is the law.
What is EN71?
EN71 is a European standard that specifies safety requirements for toys and is a legal requirement for toys sold in the UK.
Here at Oddkin & Co we’re here to help you ensure you have everything you need to create toys for sale responsibly. A lot of the yarn we stock has been tested to meet EN71-3 standard. This standard specifically looks at the migration of certain chemicals into the body if a toy, or part of a toy, were swallowed by a child.
At present, the following brands we stock have EN71 certificates available:
Stylecraft Yarns
King Cole
Cygnet Yarns Ltd
Where possible, we have included in the product descriptions whether EN71-3 certificates are available for specific yarns.
For a full list of EN71-3 yarns please click here.
Remember: as a toy maker you must take all reasonable steps to ensure your finished items meet UKCA testing standards - yarn type and material is just a small aspect of this.
Oddkin & Co is not responsible for any of the items you make from the yarns supplied.