UKCA Toy Safety Guide for Small Businesses (UK)

A simple starter guide for makers and small businesses selling toys in Great Britain. (We’ll expand this guide over time.)

What is UKCA?

UKCA is the UK product marking used for goods placed on the market in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales). For toys, it’s part of showing you’ve met the relevant safety requirements before selling.

Who is responsible?

If you make the toy, brand it, or sell it under your name, you are usually treated as the manufacturer. That means it’s your job to make sure the toy is safe and correctly documented.

The “basic” UKCA toy safety checklist

Confirm your product is a toy (intended for children under 14).
Identify the main hazards (choking, sharp edges, breakage, etc.).
Check which toy safety standards apply (commonly the EN 71 series).
Create basic safety documentation (what it is, materials, process, photos, risks, and controls).
Make sure required labelling/warnings are present and accurate.
Keep records so you can show how you decided the product is safe.

What about testing?

Many toys need evidence that they meet relevant standards. This can include physical/mechanical safety and, for some materials, chemical safety. The exact testing depends on what the toy is, who it’s for, and how it’s used.