TÜV Rheinland Marks 70 Years of Toy Testing, Advancing Standards for Safety and Sustainability

TÜV Rheinland Marks 70 Years of Toy Testing, Advancing Standards for Safety and Sustainability

(IN BRIEF) On its 70th anniversary of toy testing, TÜV Rheinland reflects on its long-standing commitment to ensuring children’s safety while playing. The company’s innovative testing methods have evolved alongside industry advancements, covering everything from mechanical properties to cybersecurity. TÜV Rheinland continues to lead the way in toy safety, providing manufacturers with the tools to ensure high-quality, environmentally sustainable toys for children worldwide.

(PRESS RELEASE) COLOGNE, 5-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In celebration of the International Day of Play on June 11, TÜV Rheinland marks a milestone with 70 years of dedicated toy testing. Since 1955, the company has been committed to ensuring that toys are safe and harmless for children. What began with simple mechanical tests has evolved into a sophisticated process guided by international standards, with one goal in mind: to guarantee the highest level of protection for children during play.

Each year, TÜV Rheinland examines tens of thousands of toys worldwide for safety and quality (photo: TÜV Rheinland

From Humble Beginnings to Cutting-Edge Technology

TÜV Rheinland’s first toy test, a “sand play set,” was conducted in 1955 when the company was still known as Landesgewerbeanstalt Bayern (LGA). Today, the company employs around 500 toy testers worldwide, examining tens of thousands of toys annually. These experts assess various aspects, such as a toy’s smell, texture, sound, and overall safety. “How a toy feels or how loud it is – all these sensory factors help us assess its quality and safety,” says Sebastian Rösch, Laboratory Manager at TÜV Rheinland’s Nuremberg testing lab, the largest of its kind in Europe.

As toy designs have advanced, so have the testing methods. While video drones and interactive robots are now being used in labs, ensuring compliance with new data protection and cybersecurity requirements is also a growing priority.

Shaping Standards for Safety and Innovation

In the 1950s, consumer tests in the USA sparked demand for independent, qualified product evaluations in Western Europe. Initially relying on practical experience, testing methods began to take shape, with standards evolving to address the use of electronic components and noise-producing toys. By the 1970s, systematic testing procedures were introduced, followed by further refinements in the 1980s and 1990s to address electric toys, chemical safety, and the harmonization of European standards.

In response to the growing prevalence of electronic and battery-operated toys, TÜV Rheinland adapted its testing methods to cover new risks, including those related to swallowable magnets, regulated under EN 71-1 in 2009.

Focus on Cybersecurity and Chemical Testing

Today, new challenges such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are at the forefront of toy testing. With the rise of smart toys, which are connected to the internet, TÜV Rheinland ensures that such toys comply with the EU’s upcoming security requirements under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), effective from August 1, 2025. These regulations aim to significantly improve the protection of internet-enabled devices, addressing potential cybersecurity threats.

Moreover, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” are increasingly under scrutiny. These substances are used in toys for water and dirt resistance but are harmful to health and the environment due to their slow decomposition rate. TÜV Rheinland helps companies comply with these environmental and health regulations through sustainable production practices and the adoption of digital product passports for toys.

Quality Assurance: CE Mark, GS Mark, and Toyproof Seal

For toys sold in the EU, the CE mark is mandatory, ensuring compliance with safety, health, and environmental regulations. However, for those seeking higher standards, the “Tested Safety” (GS) mark and TÜV Rheinland’s “Toyproof” seal provide additional guarantees of quality. TÜV Rheinland also offers the “Excellent Play Value” certification, which assesses how well a toy promotes educational and developmental benefits for children.

About TÜV Rheinland Toy Testing

For over seven decades, TÜV Rheinland has been a trusted partner to the toy industry. The company employs 500 toy testing experts who annually test over 40,000 toys worldwide, covering categories such as mechanical properties, flammability, sound levels, plasticizers, and electromagnetic compatibility. TÜV Rheinland operates testing labs in Nuremberg, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bentonville, and more. As a global leader in toy testing, TÜV Rheinland also provides support in research and development, standardization, and market access for safe, high-quality toys.

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SOURCE: TÜV Rheinland