27/10/2026
I see so many posts about how safety eyes are not safe for children.. Although this is true of the safety eye itself, it isn't true of toys WITH safety eyes that have been tested.
In the UK it is a legal requirement for any toy placed on the market to be tested and compliant. This includes hanging weights of up to 9.2kg off all the toys seams, small parts and anything that could be deemed grippable for a child.
If anything fails, which does happen! If the part fits inside the instrument on the last photo it's a choking hazard and instant fail! If it's bigger, it's technically a pass, but a sure quality concern. (My mini octos took 3 attempts to be strong and safe! I wouldn't accept it another way!)
- But that's not all! Over a certain size you must fire test the fabric, if it catches and spreads a certain distance in a certain time. If fails.
- ALL materials (including the safety eyes) used must be chemically compliant and have certificates to prove it. If you change the brand you have to retest as the properties will be different. I can't just pick up that nice yarn in any old shop it has to be compliant.
- The eyes have to be impact tested. (So we know they won't break apart)
- Embroidered parts shouldn't be grippable or they need to be weight checked too!
- And seams have to be checked for small openings that could mean a child can touch anything internal.
You wash the toy.. and do all that again!!
Its so important!
UK toy makers, be SAFE and LEGAL!
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/toys-safety-regulations-2011/toys-safety-regulations-2011-great-britain
