Compliance Checklist

CE Marking
Toys
Spain 🇪🇸

CE marking for toys on Amazon.es: Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, Real Decreto 1205/2011, EN 71 tests, Spanish-language warnings and common mistakes.

Overview

Toys are among the most strictly regulated product categories across the entire EU. In Spain, the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC is transposed via Real Decreto 1205/2011 sobre seguridad de los juguetes (Royal Decree on toy safety). CE marking is mandatory for every toy on Amazon.es. Testing according to the EN 71 standard series (mechanical/physical, flammability, chemical migration, organic compounds) forms the basis for conformity assessment. Enforcement is carried out by the Ministerio de Consumo at national level, the Comunidades Autonomas at regional level, and the AEMPS (Agencia Espanola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios) for chemical aspects. Spain is an active reporter in the EU Safety Gate (formerly RAPEX) and intensifies market surveillance especially before the Campana de Navidad (Christmas campaign) and during the summer season. Amazon.es requires CE documentation and test reports for toy category approval.

Does this apply to my product?

The Toy Safety Directive applies to all products designed for children under 14 to play with. This includes: classic toys (juguetes clasicos), dolls (munecas), board games (juegos de mesa), puzzles (rompecabezas), outdoor toys (juguetes de exterior), bath toys (juguetes de bano), educational toys (juguetes educativos), craft kits (juegos creativos), building blocks (bloques de construccion), remote-controlled vehicles (vehiculos teledirigidos) and electronic toys. NOTE: Products not declared as toys but that could be used by children as toys (e.g. animal-shaped keychains) may also fall under the directive. In Spain, all safety warnings and accompanying documents must be provided in Spanish (Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2007, Ley General para la Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios).

Step-by-Step Guide

Progress0/16 (0%)

Determine age group and applicable standards

Toy requirements vary significantly by age group. Toys for children under 36 months are subject to the strictest requirements. Correct classification determines the entire subsequent testing and marking process.

Estimated time: 1-2 Tage

Target age group defined and documentedRequired

Define the age group: under 36 months (menores de 36 meses), 3-6 years, 6-14 years. The age indication determines which tests are required and which warnings (advertencias) must appear on the packaging. Real Decreto 1205/2011 requires the Spanish designation of the age group.

Applicable EN 71 parts identifiedRequired

EN 71 consists of 14 parts. At least EN 71-1 (mechanical/physical), EN 71-2 (flammability) and EN 71-3 (migration of certain elements) are required for almost every toy. Depending on product type additionally: EN 71-7 (finger paints), EN 71-8 (swings/slides), EN 71-9/10/11 (organic chemical compounds), EN 71-12 (N-nitrosamines). The AEMPS pays particular attention to the chemical parts.

Checklist of applicable EN 71 parts with justification

Check whether an Organismo Notificado (Notified Body) is requiredRequired

For certain toy types, involvement of a Notified Body (Organismo Notificado) per Annex III of the Toy Safety Directive is mandatory. This particularly concerns toys with chemical substances (e.g. chemistry sets, cosmetic kits) and toys without harmonised standards. The EU type-examination (Examen UE de tipo) is then required.

Assessment of Notified Body requirement

Perform EN 71 tests in accredited laboratory

The EN 71 test series is the core of toy CE marking. Without passed tests, no CE mark may be applied. For the Spanish market, test reports from all EU-accredited laboratories are accepted, but the laboratory must be accredited under ISO 17025.

Estimated time: 3-10 Wochen

EN 71-1: Mechanical and physical properties testedRequired

Tests: swallowable small parts (Small Parts Test), tensile strength, drop test, compression tests, edge sharpness, tip test. Particularly strict for toys for children under 36 months (menores de 36 meses). The test report (informe de ensayo) must clearly identify the product.

EN 71-1 test report (informe de ensayo)

EN 71-2: Flammability testedRequired

Tests the burning behaviour of toy materials. Particularly relevant for textile toys, costumes (disfraces), wigs, tents and sleeping bags. The material must not show rapid flame spread. Spanish market surveillance pays particular attention to this for carnival toys.

EN 71-2 test report

EN 71-3: Migration of chemical elements testedRequired

Tests whether hazardous elements (lead, cadmium, chromium, barium, antimony, arsenic, mercury, selenium) are released from the toy. Separated by material type: Category I (dry/brittle), II (liquid/sticky), III (scraped). Limits in Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive. EACH colour and material must be tested separately.

EN 71-3 test report with material list

EN 71-9/10/11: Organic chemical compounds tested (if applicable)

Tests for organic pollutants such as phthalates, formaldehyde, phenol, PAHs and flame retardants. Particularly relevant for soft plastic toys, textile toys and painted toys. The AEMPS and Spanish consumer protection authorities conduct regular spot checks for these substances.

EN 71-9/10/11 test reports (if applicable)

Prepare technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity

The complete technical documentation (documentacion tecnica) is particularly extensive for toys and must be kept for 10 years per Annex IV of the Toy Safety Directive. The EU Declaration of Conformity (Declaracion de Conformidad UE) must be available for presentation to Spanish authorities upon request.

Estimated time: 3-7 Tage

Technical documentation (documentacion tecnica) fully preparedRequired

Must contain: product description with photos, material specifications, manufacturing process, list of applied harmonised standards, all test reports, risk assessment (analisis de riesgos), declaration of conformity, sample of packaging and warnings. For the Spanish market, a Spanish-language summary is recommended as authorities frequently correspond in Spanish.

Technical documentation per Annex IV Toy Safety DirectiveRisk assessment (analisis de riesgos)

EU Declaration of Conformity (Declaracion de Conformidad UE) issuedRequired

The DoC for toys must explicitly reference Directive 2009/48/EC and list all applied EN 71 standards with version numbers. It must include the manufacturer (fabricante), authorised representative (representante autorizado) if applicable, and product identification. For Spain, the DoC should also be available in Spanish.

EU Declaration of Conformity (Declaracion de Conformidad UE)

EU type-examination certificate obtained (if Notified Body required)

If Step 1 determined that a Notified Body is required, the EU type-examination certificate (certificado de examen UE de tipo) must be obtained. The four-digit identification number of the Notified Body must then appear next to the CE mark.

EU type-examination certificate (certificado de examen UE de tipo)

Marking, Spanish-language warnings and packaging

Toys have the most extensive labelling obligations of all product categories. For the Spanish market, all warnings must be provided in Spanish. Missing or English-only warnings are one of the most common reasons for listing suspensions on Amazon.es and objections by the Comunidades Autonomas.

Estimated time: 2-5 Tage

CE mark correctly applied (min. 5mm, on product or packaging)Required

The CE mark (marcado CE) must be visibly, legibly and permanently affixed to the toy or packaging. Minimum height 5mm. For very small toys, placement on the packaging or a label (etiqueta) is permitted. If a Notified Body was involved, its four-digit number must appear next to the CE mark.

Age warning correctly applied in SpanishRequired

Standard warning in Spanish: 'ADVERTENCIA: No apto para ninos menores de 36 meses' with specific reason, e.g. 'Peligro de asfixia – contiene piezas pequenas' (Choking hazard – contains small parts). The warning symbol (black triangle with exclamation mark) is mandatory. The warning must be visible BEFORE purchase – also in the Amazon.es listing. Real Decreto 1205/2011 explicitly requires Spanish language.

Manufacturer information on packaging (name, address, email)Required

Name or trade name, postal address (direccion postal) and email address (correo electronico) of the manufacturer (fabricante) must be on the toy or packaging. For imports, additionally the importer's (importador) data. Since GPSR (December 2024), the email address and the designation 'Persona responsable en la UE' are also mandatory.

Batch/model number and traceabilityRequired

Each toy must bear a type, batch (lote), serial or model number enabling clear identification and traceability (trazabilidad). This is particularly important for potential recalls (retirada del mercado) that the Ministerio de Consumo may order.

Amazon.es listing and compliance upload

Amazon monitors the toy category on Amazon.es particularly strictly. Ensure all compliance information is correctly stored in the listing and Seller Central. Incomplete documentation regularly leads to listing suspensions, especially before the Campana de Navidad.

Estimated time: 1-3 Tage

Compliance documents uploaded to Seller CentralRequired

Upload the EU Declaration of Conformity (Declaracion de Conformidad UE), EN 71 test reports and photos of labelling to Amazon Seller Central. Amazon.es can request these at any time – for toys this happens significantly more frequently than for other categories. Keep all documents ready as PDF.

DoC + EN 71 test reports as PDFPhotos of product marking and packaging

Listing updated with Spanish warnings and GPSR fieldsRequired

Mention age warnings in Spanish in bullet points, fill in GPSR mandatory fields (Persona Responsable, Fabricante), integrate safety instructions (instrucciones de seguridad) in A+ Content. Warnings must also be visible on product images.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Declaring the product as 'decoration' instead of 'toy' to avoid the Toy Safety Directive

Consequence: Classification is based on actual USE, not declaration. If a product is obviously used by children as a toy, the Toy Safety Directive applies regardless. Spanish authorities (Ministerio de Consumo, Comunidades Autonomas) impose fines up to 100,000 EUR. Amazon account suspension is likely.

Prevention: Classify honestly. If children could play with it, it's probably a toy (juguete). When in doubt, consult an Organismo Notificado or a Notified Body.

Warnings only in English or German – not in Spanish

Consequence: Violation of Real Decreto 1205/2011 and Ley General para la Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios. Immediate listing suspension on Amazon.es. Fines by the competent Comunidad Autonoma. Campana de Navidad inspections regularly uncover this.

Prevention: Apply all warnings in Spanish: 'ADVERTENCIA: No apto para ninos menores de 36 meses. Peligro de asfixia – contiene piezas pequenas.' Also use Spanish warnings in the Amazon.es listing.

Only testing EN 71-1 and omitting the chemical tests (EN 71-3)

Consequence: Incomplete CE marking. Chemical tests are particularly critical for imported toys – heavy metals and prohibited plasticisers are regularly found. Recall (retirada del mercado) and EU Safety Gate notification. The AEMPS conducts targeted chemical spot checks.

Prevention: ALWAYS have at least EN 71-1, EN 71-2 and EN 71-3 tested. For textile toys additionally REACH/azo dyes. For soft plastic EN 71-9 (phthalates). Costs are manageable compared to recall risk.

Accepting test reports from Chinese supplier without verification

Consequence: Falsified or insufficient test reports are widespread for toys from China. Spanish market surveillance (Ministerio de Consumo, Guardia Civil) conducts regular spot checks, especially before Christmas and in port cities like Barcelona and Valencia.

Prevention: Have critical tests (at least EN 71-3 chemistry) repeated in an EU-accredited laboratory. Cost: 500-1,500 EUR – a fraction of the recall risk. Verify ISO 17025 accreditation of the laboratory.

CE mark applied with incorrect proportions or confusably close to other marks

Consequence: The CE mark has exact proportion requirements (minimum height 5mm, defined ratio). Confusion with the Chinese 'China Export' mark leads to immediate objection. Spanish authorities and Amazon.es recognise this as non-compliant.

Prevention: Use the official CE mark template from the Toy Safety Directive. Minimum height 5mm. Clearly separated from other marks. When in doubt, have packaging design reviewed by a compliance expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1Do the warnings on packaging need to be in Spanish even if I already have English ones?

Yes, mandatory. Real Decreto 1205/2011 and the Ley General para la Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios require all safety warnings for toys on the Spanish market to be in Spanish (castellano). English warnings are not sufficient. The correct wording is e.g.: 'ADVERTENCIA: No apto para ninos menores de 36 meses. Peligro de asfixia – contiene piezas pequenas.' Multilingual packaging (Spanish plus other EU languages) is permitted and recommended for Pan-EU shipping.

Q2Do I need a separate test for each colour variant of my toy?

For EN 71-1 (mechanical), one test per basic design is usually sufficient provided the construction is identical. For EN 71-3 (chemical migration), EACH colour must be tested separately as different colour pigments can have different heavy metal concentrations. For EN 71-2 (flammability), it depends on the material – different textile types require separate tests.

Q3My toy has batteries – what additional requirements apply in Spain?

In addition to the Toy Safety Directive: (1) Battery Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 – battery compartment must be child-safe (screw instead of clip for button cells). (2) For button cells: special Spanish-language warnings about swallowing hazard: 'ADVERTENCIA: Contiene pila de boton. Peligro de muerte en caso de ingestion.' (3) Real Decreto 106/2008 on Pilas y Acumuladores: registration and marking with the crossed-out bin symbol. (4) RAEE registration (Spanish WEEE system) required for electronic toys.

Q4What happens during the intensified Campana de Navidad inspections?

Every year before Christmas, the Ministerio de Consumo and Comunidades Autonomas conduct intensified market controls for toys (Campana de Navidad). Toys are randomly pulled from the market and checked for: correct CE marking, Spanish warnings, EN 71 compliance, chemical limits. Non-compliant products are immediately removed from the market and reported in the EU Safety Gate. Amazon.es conducts parallel inspections. Have all documents ready by October at the latest.

Q5Can SpaceGoats support me with CE marking for toys on Amazon.es?

Yes, SpaceGoats provides comprehensive support for CE marking for toys on Amazon.es: from identifying applicable EN 71 standards to coordinating with accredited laboratories to preparing technical documentation and the Declaration of Conformity. SpaceGoats offers practical assistance as an experienced Amazon broker, particularly with correct Spanish labelling and navigating Amazon Seller Central.

Q6Does the new EU Toy Safety Regulation (2024) already apply for Amazon.es?

The new Toy Safety Regulation (EU) 2024/1225 was adopted in April 2024 but has a transition period until approximately 2027. Until then, Directive 2009/48/EC (transposed in Spain via Real Decreto 1205/2011) continues to apply. The new regulation particularly tightens chemical requirements (endocrine disruptors), introduces a digital product passport (pasaporte digital del producto), and increases market surveillance powers. Start preparing now.

CE MarkingToysSpain 🇪🇸