Capsule toys are small, but the test file behind them is not. A buyer often receives a PDF with a cover page, a list of test methods and a conclusion. The useful question is not “do you have EN 71?” but “which sample, which age grade, which parts and which test clauses does this report cover?”
1. A report is not a certificate
A test report records what a laboratory tested on a specific sample on a specific date. A certificate is a different document, issued under a different scheme. Treating a report as a blanket certificate for every future SKU is one of the most common compliance mistakes in toy sourcing.
ADAR’s public file includes BV technical report 0184 and test report 0185, both dated 10 July 2025 for submitted samples. They are evidence for the samples and scope described in those documents — not a claim that every current or future product is covered.
2. What the three standards actually do
EN 71 is the European toy safety standard. Different parts cover different risks: EN 71-1 for mechanical and physical properties, EN 71-2 for flammability, and EN 71-3 for migration of certain elements. Not every toy needs every part, and the age grade changes the requirements.
ASTM F963 is the US consumer safety specification for toys. It covers mechanical and physical properties, flammability and certain heavy elements, with requirements that differ from EN 71. A European report does not automatically satisfy a US buyer’s request.
REACH is the EU chemicals regulation. It is not a single toy pass/fail test. Relevant checks can include substances on the candidate list, Annex XVII restrictions and material-specific limits. The right scope depends on the materials, inks, coatings and components.
3. Sample identity and age grade
Look for the sample description, material list, colour, size and age grade. A report for a painted PVC figure is not interchangeable with a report for an unpainted PP capsule. If the production part uses a different material, paint, ink or supplier, the old report may no longer represent it.
Age grade is not a marketing choice only. It drives small-parts requirements, warning text and test severity. A product intended for ages 3+ and a product intended for ages 6+ should not share a test plan without review.
4. Read scope, date and report number
Check the laboratory, report number, sample receipt date, test date and the clauses tested. A conclusion that says “pass” without a scope is not useful. If the report covers EN 71-1 and EN 71-3 but the buyer needs EN 71-2, the gap is visible only when you read the clause list.
Also check the report’s photos and component list against the golden sample. A report can be genuine and still describe a different version of the product.
5. Change control is part of compliance
New paint supplier, new mould, new material grade, new capsule shell, new printing method: each can trigger a re-test or a documented risk review. Ask the factory how they control these changes and who signs off. A compliance file is a living system, not a PDF from last year.
6. Buyer checklist
- Sample name, photo, material and colour match the purchase order
- Age grade and warning text match the target market
- Report number, lab, sample date and test date are visible
- Test clauses cover the risks relevant to the product, not just one standard name
- Report scope matches the exact construction and surface treatment
- Change-control process is documented for future production
A good test report does not replace a good product. It tells you what was tested, so you can decide what still needs to be verified.
If you are comparing reports for a capsule, mini figure or squishy program, send the sample details and target market. ADAR can map the existing test scope against the product you are planning.