EN 71-7 Safety of Toys - Part 7: Finger Paints - Requirements and Test Methods

In the EN 71-7 standard, which is a European standard, the requirements for substances and materials used in finger paints are explained and test methods are presented. This standard applies only to finger paints. This standard also includes additional requirements for signs, labeling and containers.

For the purposes of this standard,

• Finger paint refers to an aqueous semi-solid or liquid, colored mixture specially designed for children to apply directly to suitable surfaces with their fingers and hands.
• Colorant refers to pigment or dyestuff. EN ISO 4618 standard is valid for pigment and dyestuff definitions.
• Expander refers to a granular or powdery material that is insoluble in the medium and used to change or affect certain physical properties.
• Humidifier refers to a substance that delays the drying process.
• Binder refers to the water-soluble or miscible, non-volatile component that binds the paint to the surface to which it is applied.
• Preservative refers to a substance that inhibits the growth of unwanted microorganisms.
• Surfactant refers to surfactant.

The requirements of this standard apply to finger paints in the form used by a child. In the case of powdered finger paints (for example, water can be added before use), the requirements for finger paint prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions apply.

Finger paints must not contain hazardous substances or mixtures in quantities that could harm the health of children using them. In this regard, the European Union directive 1999/45/EC concerning the classification, packaging and labelling of hazardous products is complied with.

Finger paints must not meet the criteria for any of the following hazard classes:

• acute toxicity
• Skin corrosion/irritation
• Serious eye damage/irritation
• Respiratory or skin sensitivity
• Germ cell mutagenicity
• carcinogenicity
• reproductive toxicity
• Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure
• Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure
• Aspiration hazard

Only colorants and coloring agents that do not meet the above-mentioned hazard criteria should be used in finger paints. In addition, finger paints should not contain azo colorants that produce the primary aromatic amines listed in the tables within the standard.

Among the numerous test, measurement, analysis and evaluation studies it provides for businesses in various sectors, our organization also provides testing services for finger paints in terms of the safety of toys, within the scope of EN 71-7 standard, with its trained and expert staff and advanced technological equipment.