{"id":4131,"date":"2026-10-05T15:35:55","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T13:35:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/?post_type=pt_guide&#038;p=4131"},"modified":"2026-10-05T17:03:53","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T15:03:53","slug":"figure-safety-standards-en71-astm-f963","status":"publish","type":"pt_guide","link":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/figure-safety-standards-en71-astm-f963","title":{"rendered":"Figure safety standards: EN 71, CE, UKCA and ASTM F963 explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A figure is an art object, a brand product\u2026 and sometimes a toy in the eyes of the law. Before launching production, you need to know which box it falls into, and in which markets it will be sold, because the obligations are not the same. This guide covers EN 71 and CE marking in Europe, the rules in Great Britain, ASTM F963 and the CPSIA in the United States, minimum age and labelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-group callout warn cid-drrxckct\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"c-title cid-drrxckct wp-block-paragraph\">Read this first<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide gives general pointers, not legal advice. Toy safety rules change (the EU is replacing its 2009 toy safety directive with a new regulation, with a transition period, and the UK rules on conformity marking have changed several times since Brexit). Always have your situation checked, against the rules in force at your launch, by a testing laboratory or a specialised body.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"is-your-figure-a-toy\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is your figure a toy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the first question, and it shapes everything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In the European Union<\/strong>, a <strong>toy<\/strong> is a product designed or intended, exclusively or not, for use in play by <strong>children under 14<\/strong>. A brand figure handed out to families, a giveaway at a public event, a mascot sold in a toy shop: these are very probably toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some products are <strong>excluded<\/strong> from this definition, including <strong>products for collectors<\/strong>, provided that the product or its packaging carries a <strong>visible and legible indication<\/strong> that it is intended for collectors aged <strong>14 and over<\/strong>. That is why many art toys show a statement such as \u201ccollectible, not suitable for children under 14\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>In the United States<\/strong>, the key notion is the <strong>children\u2019s product<\/strong>: a product designed or intended primarily for children <strong>12 and under<\/strong>. Toys in this category must meet ASTM F963 and the CPSIA requirements. An art toy clearly designed, packaged and marketed for adult collectors is generally treated as a general-use product, but the assessment looks at the whole picture: labelling, packaging, marketing and where it is sold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Situation<\/th><th>Likely status<\/th><th>Consequence<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Figure given to the general public, children included<\/td><td>Toy<\/td><td>EN 71 + CE marking (EU), ASTM F963 + CPSIA (US)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Figure sold in a toy shop<\/td><td>Toy<\/td><td>Same obligations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Art toy sold to collectors, 14+ statement<\/td><td>Product for collectors<\/td><td>No toy CE marking in the EU, but a visible age statement<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Luxury numbered collector\u2019s edition<\/td><td>Often a product for collectors<\/td><td>Visible age statement, suitable presentation<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be careful: the statement is not enough if everything about the product\u2019s presentation targets children (colours, point of sale, marketing). It is the overall picture that counts, in Europe as in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group g-fig cid-bi2cfy22 figure-as-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large pic g-desk-pic\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"952\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product.png\" alt=\"Diagram: a figure intended for play by children is a toy (EN 71 and CE marking in the EU, ASTM F963 and CPSIA in the US); a product for collectors must carry a visible age statement (collectors aged 14 and over in the EU)\" class=\"wp-image-4081\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product.png 1600w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-300x179.png 300w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-1024x609.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-768x457.png 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-1536x914.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-800x476.png 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large pic g-mob-pic\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1352\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-mobile.png\" alt=\"Diagram: a figure intended for play by children is a toy (EN 71 and CE marking in the EU, ASTM F963 and CPSIA in the US); a product for collectors must carry a visible age statement (collectors aged 14 and over in the EU)\" class=\"wp-image-4082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-mobile.png 800w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-mobile-178x300.png 178w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-mobile-606x1024.png 606w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/diagram-figure-toy-or-collectors-product-mobile-768x1298.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cid-bi2cfy22 figcaption-as-p as-p wp-block-paragraph\">The first question to ask, in the EU and the US.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-does-en-71-cover\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does EN 71 cover?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">EN 71 is the harmonised European toy safety standard. It has many parts; for a figure, three come up almost every time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>EN 71-1 \u2013 Mechanical and physical properties<\/strong>: small parts that could be swallowed, sharp points and edges, strength of components, resistance to pulling and dropping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EN 71-2 \u2013 Flammability<\/strong>: how the materials behave near a flame.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>EN 71-3 \u2013 Migration of certain elements<\/strong>: presence and migration of chemical elements (heavy metals in particular) in materials and paints.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Other requirements can apply depending on the product (regulated chemical substances, plasticisers, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n<aside class=\"guide-cta sim cid-qhrug727\"><p class=\"gc-title cid-qhrug727\">How much would your figure cost?<\/p><p class=\"gc-text cid-qhrug727\">Answer 5 questions and get a range for your budget, unit price and lead time, in two minutes.<\/p><a class=\"s-btn cid-qhrug727\" href=\"\/en\/studio\/figure-cost-estimator\"><span class=\"cid-qhrug727\">Estimate my budget<\/span><\/a><\/aside>\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-ce-marking\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is CE marking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>CE marking<\/strong> is affixed by whoever places the toy on the market to declare that it meets European requirements. It is not a quality label issued by a body: it is a commitment, which must be backed by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>technical documentation<\/strong> (product description, safety assessment, test reports);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a <strong>declaration of conformity<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>product <strong>traceability<\/strong> (batch number, contact details of the manufacturer or importer).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The marking must be visible, legible and indelible, on the toy or on its packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-about-great-britain\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What about Great Britain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Great Britain, toys must comply with the <strong>Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011<\/strong>, the UK version of the European rules. Toys can carry the <strong>UKCA<\/strong> marking, and the CE marking is currently still accepted; Northern Ireland follows EU rules. As these arrangements have changed several times, check the current government guidance before a launch in the UK, and make sure the labelling includes the details of the UK importer where required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-does-astm-f963-and-the-cpsia-require-in-the-us\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does ASTM F963 and the CPSIA require in the US?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For toys intended for children 12 and under sold in the United States, the <strong>Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)<\/strong> makes the <strong>ASTM F963<\/strong> toy safety standard mandatory. In practice, this means:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>third-party testing<\/strong> by a laboratory accepted by the <strong>Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a <strong>Children\u2019s Product Certificate (CPC)<\/strong>, issued by the importer or domestic manufacturer, based on these tests;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>tracking labels<\/strong> on the product and its packaging, so the batch and origin can be traced;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>limits on <strong>lead<\/strong> in materials and paint and on certain <strong>phthalates<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>small parts<\/strong> rules and the related choking hazard warnings for young children.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-should-the-label-show\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What should the label show?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depending on the product\u2019s status and the market, the labelling may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the <strong>name and address<\/strong> of the manufacturer and, where applicable, the importer;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a <strong>batch<\/strong> or series number for traceability;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the <strong>CE<\/strong> marking (EU) or <strong>UKCA<\/strong> marking (Great Britain) for a toy;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mandatory <strong>warnings<\/strong>, for example \u201cNot suitable for children under 36 months. Contains small parts.\u201d in the EU, or the choking hazard warning in the US;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>for a product for collectors, a visible and legible <strong>minimum age<\/strong>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the information in the <strong>language<\/strong> of the country of sale.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group g-fig cid-bi2cfy22 figure-as-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large pic\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat.jpg\" alt=\"EQSO The Crew blind boxes printed and laid out flat, showing the character list, the odds and the legal notices\" class=\"wp-image-4060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/blind-box-eqso-the-crew-boites-a-plat-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"cid-bi2cfy22 figcaption-as-p as-p wp-block-paragraph\">The EQSO The Crew boxes, laid flat: CE marking, 15+ age statement, small parts warning and importer details, in French, English and Chinese.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"how-does-testing-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How does testing work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tests are carried out by <strong>specialised laboratories<\/strong> on samples taken from production (or from the pre-production run, in the same materials and paints). The laboratory issues a <strong>test report<\/strong> for each part of the standard checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A few tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Plan ahead<\/strong>: testing takes time and has to be built into the schedule. At Popterror Studio, tests take place during the 2 weeks of quality control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test every material and every colour<\/strong>: a new paint can change the EN 71-3 or lead test result.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep the reports<\/strong>: a retailer, a marketplace or a market surveillance authority may ask for them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test again<\/strong> if the product changes (new colour, new material supplier).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Selling in several markets?<\/strong> Tell the laboratory from the start: many labs can combine EN 71 and ASTM F963 testing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-case-of-blind-boxes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The case of blind boxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A blind box contains figures that are often small, sometimes with accessories: <strong>small parts<\/strong> are a central question if the product is a toy. The mystery packaging must also respect consumer information rules. See our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/how-to-make-a-blind-box\">how to make a blind box<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For our EQSO The Crew blind box, presented as a collectible, the age statement appears on the product: 15 and over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"who-is-responsible\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is responsible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The person responsible is whoever <strong>places the product on the market<\/strong>: in the EU, the manufacturer if it is established there, otherwise the <strong>importer<\/strong>; in the US, the importer or domestic manufacturer who issues the certificate. If your brand has figures produced abroad and imports them in its own name, it carries the responsibility for compliance. A studio like ours helps you prepare the tests, which are carried out by a specialised laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To put compliance in the context of the whole project, read our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/guides\/how-to-make-custom-figures\">how to make custom figures<\/a>. And if you are preparing a production run, discover our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\/custom-figure-manufacturing\">custom figure manufacturing<\/a> service and all our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/studio\">custom figure design and production services for brands<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>EN 71 and CE in Europe, UKCA in Great Britain, ASTM F963 and CPSIA in the US: what a figure must meet to be sold, as a toy or an adult collectible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3812,"menu_order":8,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"toy safety standards EN 71 ASTM F963","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Figure Safety Standards: EN 71, CE, ASTM F963 | Popterror","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"EN 71 and CE in Europe, UKCA in Great Britain, ASTM F963 and CPSIA in the US: what a figure must meet to be sold, as a toy or an adult collectible.","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_page_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_schema_article_type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"popterror_auteur":"fred","popterror_schema":"","footnotes":""},"themes-guide":[65],"class_list":["post-4131","pt_guide","type-pt_guide","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"popterror_auteur":"fred","guide_pilier":false,"reponse_directe":"The rules depend on where you sell. In the EU, a figure that may be used as a toy by children under 14 must meet the toy safety rules: EN 71 testing, CE marking, labelling and technical documentation. In Great Britain, the UK toy safety regulations apply. In the United States, children\u2019s toys (12 and under) must comply with ASTM F963 under the CPSIA, with testing by a CPSC-accepted laboratory. A figure clearly intended for adult collectors can fall outside toy rules if this is shown visibly. In every case, have your situation checked by a testing laboratory.","faq":[{"question":"Is a collectible figure a toy?","reponse":"It depends on how it is presented and who it is for. In the EU, a product designed or intended for play by children under 14 is a toy; products for collectors can be excluded if they carry a visible, legible indication that they are intended for collectors aged 14 and over. In the US, the question is whether the product is designed or intended primarily for children 12 and under. For each project, have your case checked by a specialised laboratory."},{"question":"What is EN 71?","reponse":"It is the European toy safety standard. It has several parts; for a figure, the most common are EN 71-1 (mechanical and physical properties), EN 71-2 (flammability) and EN 71-3 (migration of certain chemical elements)."},{"question":"What is ASTM F963?","reponse":"It is the US standard consumer safety specification for toy safety. Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), it is mandatory for toys intended for children 12 and under sold in the United States, which must be tested by a laboratory accepted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)."},{"question":"Who is responsible for compliance?","reponse":"Whoever places the product on the market: in the EU, the manufacturer if it is established there, otherwise the importer or authorised representative; in the US, the importer or domestic manufacturer issues the Children\u2019s Product Certificate. If your brand imports the figures, it carries this responsibility."},{"question":"How much does EN 71 or ASTM F963 testing cost?","reponse":"The price depends on the number of parts tested, the number of materials and colours, and the laboratory. Market order of magnitude: around \u20ac300 to \u20ac3,000 per product."},{"question":"Why do some figures say \u201c14+\u201d or \u201c15+\u201d?","reponse":"In the EU, \u201c14 and over\u201d is the threshold set by the rules for products intended for collectors. Some brands show a higher age out of caution. On our EQSO The Crew blind box, the age shown is \u201c15 and over\u201d."}],"guides_lies":[4117,4127,4129],"liens_utiles":[{"lien":{"title":"Custom figure design and production for brands","url":"\/en\/studio","target":""},"description":"all our services"},{"lien":{"title":"Figure manufacturing","url":"\/en\/studio\/custom-figure-manufacturing","target":""},"description":"Already have a character or a 3D file? We turn it into figures produced in series."},{"lien":{"title":"Custom blind box","url":"\/en\/studio\/custom-blind-box","target":""},"description":"A series of figures in mystery boxes, with a secret figure and a display: the mechanic we mastered with EQSO The Crew."},{"lien":{"title":"Custom figure cost estimator","url":"\/en\/studio\/figure-cost-estimator","target":""},"description":"a budget range in two minutes"},{"lien":{"title":"Glossary of art toys and figure manufacturing","url":"\/en\/studio\/glossary","target":""},"description":""}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4131","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/pt_guide"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4131\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4243,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4131\/revisions\/4243"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4129"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4127"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guides-studio\/4117"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4131"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"pt_theme_guide","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.popterror.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/themes-guide?post=4131"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}