What is EN50088?
People buy toys for their children in the purpose of giving them the physical and mental development training. Manufacturers design and produce various types of toys to fit different ages and stages of development of the children. When a toy is not used for its designed purpose, accidents can happen, as children are not able to anticipate safety hazards associated in the wrong way of playing.
The aim of the standard, EN50088 – Safety of Electric Toys – is to reduce risks when children are playing with electric toys, especially those risks, which are not apparent to users. It is also one of the compulsory requirements for obtaining the CE mark so as to sell into European market.
The main point of EN50088
The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has confirmed the publication date of the new amendment for electrical toy safety standard EN50088:1996/A3:2002 as 2003 March 1.
The major point of this amendment is the additional requirement for Toys incorporating Lasers and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The emission level of LEDs and Laser diodes in toys shall be classified Class 1 in accordance with EN60825-1. This amendment aims at preventing the potential hazard of radiation emitted from the Lasers or LEDs to children.
Listed below are the common examples likely to impair the compliance of the standard EN50088.
1． Missing the required marking; e.g. rated voltage & polarity,
2． Easily rub-off the label containing important marking,
3． Chemical leakage due to battery being inserted in reversed direction and
4． Fire hazard due to overheating as a result of locking motor or short-circuit of battery.
Designers should consider not only normal operating conditions of the equipment but also likely fault conditions, consequential faults, foreseeable misuse and external influences such as temperature, altitude, over-voltages on the mains, etc.