Guidance on EN 71-1 Clause 8.4 Tension Test

1. Purpose

To simulate pulling,tugging and yanking actions on toy components during children’s play.This assessment identifies whether small parts,sharp edges,sharp points or hazardous internal components will be exposed,so as to prevent hazards such as choking and laceration injuries to children.

2. Scope

This guidance applies to all toys subject to the EN 71-1 tension test, covering five main categories as follows:

• General graspable components

• Seams and cover materials of soft-filled toys

• Protective fittings (e.g. stoppers, lids)

• Suction-cup projectiles

• Rotors and propellers

Relevant Clauses

• A37 Tension test

• 4.6 Expanding materials

• 4.9 Protruding components (e.g. tube ends, umbrella ribs)

• 4.11 Mouth-operated toys

• 4.14 Enclosed-space toys (e.g. play tents, toy chests)

• 4.17 Projectile toys

• 4.18 Water toys / inflatable toys

• 4.22 Small balls

• 4.23 Magnets

• 4.25 Toys attached to food

• 4.27 Flying toys (e.g. rotor-equipped toys)

• 4.28 Imitation food toys

• 5.1 General requirements for toys intended for children under 36 months

• 5.2 Soft-filled toys

• 5.3 Plastic sheets

• 5.10 Small balls

• 5.12 Hemispherical toys

• 5.13 Suction cups

• Clause 6 Packaging

3. Pre-Test Preparation

Test Equipment

Tensile testing machine or weight apparatus capable of applying a minimum force of 90 N (accuracy: ±2 N)

Key Auxiliary Tools

• Various clamps (e.g. jaw clamps, clamps fitted with 19 mm discs, etc.)

• Feeler gauge: thickness (0.4 ± 0.02) mm, insertion end radius 3 mm

Test Samples

Confirm samples are clean and intact.If the same component requires both torque and tension testing,perform the torque test first,followed by the tension test on the identical component.

4. Test Selection & Procedures

Critical Precautions

• The tension gauge, test clamp and main axis of the test component shall be aligned in a straight line.

• No damage that may skew test results shall occur to the component during clamping.

• Bending or leverage force shall not be applied to the component during tension loading.

Judgement and operation shall strictly follow the flow chart corresponding to the toy type,which integrates all test variants and pass/fail criteria.

5. Acceptance & Pass/Fail Judgement

Inspect samples immediately upon test completion.The toy is deemed non-compliant if ANY of the following conditions occur:

• ❌ Generation of small parts: Any detached component or fragment fully fits inside the small parts test cylinder.

• ❌ Exposure of hazardous sharp edges / sharp points: Accessible dangerous sharp edges or sharp points are revealed.

• ❌ Exposure of internal hazardous components:

o For soft-filled toys: Seam rupture allows insertion of Access Probe A or 12 mm diameter push rod under force ≤10 N.

o Children can access internal hazardous components (e.g. filling material, gears, wiring).

• ❌ Impaired safety function or new hazards:Secondary safety mechanisms (e.g. projectile launchers) malfunction or new hazards are introduced.

• ❌ Failure of dedicated test criteria:

o Vertical tension test:Blade fracture or permanent deformation.

o Suction-cup projectile test:

1. Residual total length (shaft + suction cup) ≥ 57 mm after shaft fracture.

2. (Foam shafts only) Detached suction cup with diameter exceeding shaft/ferrule size.

If none of the above conditions arise,the tension test result is PASS.

Key Reminders

1. Torque test before tension test: Strictly follow the sequential test order.

2. Feeler gauge as judgement tool:Use the 0.4 mm feeler gauge under (10 ± 1) N force to determine graspability when ambiguous.

3. Classify toy type to select correct procedure:Apply matching clamps and force values per test category.

4. Force application timing:Ramp load evenly over 5 seconds,maintain full load for 10 seconds.

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