If you make and sell stuffed toys, plushies, amigurumi, or any soft toy in the UK, this post is for you.
The rules around toy safety are something a lot of crafters don’t find out about until it’s too late. I'm sharing this because I've been through it myself — and I want to help you get it right.
What is EN71?
EN71 is the European (and UK-adopted) safety standard for toys. It covers everything from physical safety to chemical safety. EN71-3 specifically covers the migration of certain elements (like heavy metals) from toy materials — including yarn and fabric.
If you’re selling a finished toy to a customer — even handmade, even on Etsy or at a craft fair — it must meet the applicable toy safety requirements before it is placed on the market.
What about REACH?
REACH is chemical-safety legislation that restricts certain hazardous substances in products and materials. In Great Britain, this is covered by UK REACH. Toy safety legislation also sets chemical requirements for finished toys, including limits on the migration of certain elements under EN71-3.
OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests textiles for a wide range of harmful substances. It provides valuable chemical-safety evidence for my Jumbo 7 yarn, alongside my separate SGS EN71-3 testing.
For my Jumbo 7 range, I've backed up my safety claims with BOTH ✅
- ✅ OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 — supports REACH compliance (chemical safety)
- ✅ EN71-3:2019+A2:2024 CAT3 tested by an accredited laboratory — covers toy safety migration limits
But wait — it’s not just about the yarn
This is something many crafters miss: it’s not enough for your materials to be certified. The finished toy itself needs to be tested and marked too.
If you’re selling toys in the UK, your finished toy must meet the applicable toy safety requirements and carry the appropriate conformity marking. In Great Britain, CE or UKCA marking can currently be used .
- The toy as a whole — not just the yarn — must be assessed against the relevant safety standards
- You need a technical file documenting your materials, testing, and risk assessment
- The UKCA or CE mark must be displayed on the toy or its packaging
- All components (eyes, stuffing, fastenings etc.) also need to meet safety requirements
Using certified yarn is a crucial first step — but it’s one part of a bigger compliance picture. I'd always recommend consulting an accredited testing body or trading standards advisor for guidance specific to your products.
What about UKCA marking?
For toys sold in Great Britain, both CE and UKCA marking can currently be used. Whichever marking route you use, the finished toy — not just the yarn — must meet the applicable toy safety requirements. Using tested materials such as yarn helps form part of the evidence for your finished toy, but it does not make the finished toy automatically compliant.
What I'm doing about it
At Knit Me Harder Co., I've taken this seriously. My Jumbo 7 Chunky Chenille Yarn is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified and has now been SGS tested to EN71-3:2019+A2:2024 CAT3.
That means my Jumbo 7 range gives UK toy makers documented test evidence for the yarn they’re using — without having to simply take a supplier’s word for it.
I believe toy makers should be able to know exactly what testing supports the materials they buy. Test documentation for my certified range is available to customers, while toy makers remain responsible for ensuring their finished toy meets all applicable safety and marking requirements.
What should you do right now?
- Check whether your current yarn supplier can provide documented EN71-3 test evidence relevant to the yarn/colours you’re using.
- Check whether your yarn is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified, or has the equivalent REACH testing components
- Look into what’s required to UKCA or CE mark your finished toys
- If your finished toys don’t yet meet the applicable safety requirements, pause selling them until you’ve completed the necessary compliance steps.
- Keep records of your materials, certificates and risk assessments in case of inspection
I know this feels like a lot — but getting it right protects you, your customers, and your business. 🧸
Ready to choose tested yarn for your next project?
My Jumbo 7 Chunky Chenille Yarn is backed by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification and SGS EN71-3:2019+A2:2024 CAT3 testing.
Shop the Jumbo 7 range and choose your colour →