RMS Foundation
Robert Mathys-Strasse 1
2544 Bettlach
Switzerland
Phone +41 32 644 2000
The Swiss Toy Ordinance (VSS) ) lays down binding health and safety requirements for toys. It is based on the European directives and refers in particular to the EN 71 series of standards, which regulates the physical, mechanical and chemical properties of toys.
For manufacturers, importers and retailers, this means that conformity is not a "can" but a "must". This includes correct labeling, a legally valid declaration of conformity and, if necessary, comprehensive test reports.
In this way, the VSS makes an important contribution to ensuring that children can play with safe products and that parents can rely on tested quality.
We support you in reliably implementing the requirements of the VSS. With our expertise and modern test laboratories, we ensure that your products meet all legal requirements - and that children can play safely.
Before a toy is placed on the market, it must be tested to confirm compliance with all safety requirements. In most cases, an internal inspection is sufficient.
We accompany and support you in all phases of this conformity assessment procedure.
According to the Swiss Ordinance on Foodstuffs and Utility Articles, toys areall objects that are intended or designed to be used for play by children up to the age of fourteen. To be considered a toy, an object does not have to be intended exclusively for the purpose of play. Articles with a different main purpose can therefore also be legally considered toys.
Conversely, the Toy Safety Ordinance describes numerous exceptions: several products that appear to be toys at first glance do not legally fall under this category.
Our expertise: We support you in assessing whether your product should be classified as a toy - and if so, for which age category. This gives you clarity and legal certainty.
The Swiss Toy Ordinance obliges manufacturers to carry out a safety assessment before placing a toy on the market for the first time.
This comprises two central steps:
Hazard analysis - investigation of all risks that may arise from the chemical, physical, mechanical or electrical properties, as well as from flammability, hygiene or even radioactivity.
Exposure assessment - assessment of the extent to which children or third parties could be exposed to these hazards in everyday life.
We provide you with expert support in preparing your safety assessment.
When it comes to toys, the safety of your child is paramount. In Switzerland, all toys must pass strict tests, including EN 71, the European standard that ensures that toys are free of harmful substances, robust and age-appropriate. It must not contain any toxic substances, must not have any small parts that can be swallowed and must be mechanically stable. Thanks to clear labeling, parents can immediately see that the toy meets the legal requirements.
We will be happy to show you which standards and requirements are relevant for your product so that you can plan with confidence.
Do you need tests for your conformity assessment procedure?
We check the existing documentation for your product and give you recommendations on the tests that are still required.
We carry out most of the tests directly in-house. If this is not possible, we will work with a partner laboratory, of course only with your consent.
If a toy meets the safety requirements, the manufacturer issues a declaration of conformity. This confirms that the toy complies with the regulations. The declaration is written in German, French, Italian or English and contains all the necessary information. The manufacturer and importer must keep it for ten years, keep it up to date and make it available to the authorities if required.
If you have any questions about the declaration of conformity, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Beyond the services we offer to our customers, our staff also take part in internal and external research projects, allowing them to constantly broaden their horizons.
You benefit from this ongoing knowledge growth in the form of quick and creative solutions to your challenges.
Discuss your concerns with our experts. They will be happy to help you determine the best course of action.
We usually process smaller orders within 10 working days (within the limits of our technical and human resources). Contact us for the option of prioritized processing for an additional charge. For larger projects, we will be happy to propose a customized schedule.
We usually communicate the test results to you in the form of a test certificate. On request, we can prepare a more detailed reportfor you in which we can statistically process and interpret the results and/or make recommendations. We will be happy to send you both with a digital signature.
As an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, confidentiality is our top priority. Further information on how we handle your data can be found in our GTC. Contact us for the possibility of additional protective measures for particularly sensitive data.
Since 1995, the services of our materials testing laboratory have been accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025. Our QM system is ISO 9001 certified.
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RMS Foundation
Robert Mathys-Strasse 1
2544 Bettlach
Switzerland
Phone +41 32 644 2000
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