Toy World January 2013

It’s testing time

Testing toys for safety is both worthwhile and necessary. The UK Toy Safety Regulations apply to manufacturers, importers, retailers, hirers, and other suppliers of new and second hand toys. In fact anyone supplying toys in the course of business, even toys distributed free of charge are covered by the Toy Safety Regulations. Derek Hepburn, managing director of Eurofins, and Paul Jones, managing director of Modern Testing Services UK, spoke to Tom Roberts about the toy testing industry.

to children. For instance, after very vigorous stress tests, anything that breaks or snaps off is tested to see if there’s a potential swallowing or choking hazard. There are also burning tests which show fabric samples set alight to see if they are suitable for use in fancy dress costumes and similar products. Other tests involve setting fire to soft toys and, to pass the test, the toy must burn slowly enough for a child to drop it before the flames spread too far. The more you hear about the tests carried out, you realise just how stringent the requirements are for a testing house. You also uncover an extra, and vitally important layer in the toy development process. To find out more about this side of the toy

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industry, Toy World spoke to Paul Jones, managing director of MTSUK and High Street Textile Testing Services, and Derek Hepburn, managing director of Eurofins, to find out what their respective testing houses can offer, and how their vital part in the toy trade is effected by changes to regulations and the economic climate. Paul Jones said: “The market is extremely

ll toys must go through a strict testing process to make sure they are safe for children to play with. The companies that work to test toys check everything that could conceivably be a threat

“There are challenges facing the toy testing services, not least mitigating the cost to our clients of the new Chemical regulations coming into force in 2013. We have been working extremely hard in the background to ensure that our clients do not face heavy inflationary pressures, especially in a depressed global economy.”

Derek Hepburn, managing director, Eurofins

competitive, both at home and in manufacturing countries. As ever, the price and speed of the services we provide are the keys to success. This is second only to the growing requirement for technical and legislative support for clients. There exists a lot of confusion from clients about compliance, EN 71, Reach, etc. ‘What do I have to test?’, is one of the most common questions we have to be able to field. Being able to answer these questions is a vital requirement of this business and providing the correct level of service to clients. Our experts include technicians,

engineers, chemists and psychologist, all with many years experience in evaluating and testing the many and varied toys and infant products that reach the market.” Derek Hepburn agreed saying that “there are challenges facing the toy testing services, not least of which is mitigating the cost to our clients of the new chemical regulations coming into force in 2013. We have been working extremely hard in the background to ensure that our clients do not face heavy inflationary pressures, especially in a depressed global economy.”

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