On 2 April 2025, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published an amended version of the European Standard EN 71-4: EN 71-4:2020+A1:2025, Safety of toys - Part 4: Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities.

The main technical changes are as follows:

1. Revised the requirement on closures for child-resistant containers. Reintroduced the test method for closures of containers as laid down in EN 71-4:2013 Annex A Clauses A.1 and A.2 as a new Annex D.
2. Require potassium permanganate (CAS No. 7722-64-7) content to be < 3% due to its reproductive toxicity (Repr. 2). Pure potassium permanganate is not allowed to be used. Only potassium permanganate in sodium sulfate mixture (2.5% to < 3%) is permitted.

The new standard EN 71-4:2020+A1:2025 will be given the status of a national standard and the conflicting national standards will be withdrawn by October 2025 at the latest. The standard is expected to become a harmonised standard under the EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC after it is accepted by the European Commission and is published on the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

The standard EN 71-4:2020+A1:2025 applies to experimental sets for chemistry and related activities, including chemistry sets, crystal growing sets and carbon dioxide generating experimental sets, as well as their supplementary sets. The standard has laid down the maximum amounts (or concentrations) for permitted substances and mixtures, and set the requirements for marking, a contents list, instructions for use, eye protection and for the equipment intended for carrying out the experiments.

Intertek China Hardlines labs are capable of providing you with testing services and technical support in compliance with the EU toys regulations and standards.

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