CE Testing – Don’t Be a Dummy!

Quick question when/if you buy handmade bibs, toys, comforters, dummy tags, slings etc from Facebook do you check if these are CE tested?

I love a good discussion me. I posted this question on my personal Facebook page and here is what I have learn’t.

Erica from Odds & Soxlets comprehensive article about CE testing is one of the most popular on my blog. She and Nicky from AmaraBay are great examples of how they use Facebook to ensure there customers know that their products are safe and conform by using images of products being tested and what EN they conform too. But as a parent/customer is this something that you check? I would suspect many of us don’t and just assume products are safe and fit for purpose.

Being a bit of a CE Guru Erica suggests that “most people don’t even know what the CE logo stands for! Toys need to be CE marked and tested against the toy safety directive but there are no specific safety regs for bibs or baby clothing etc. dummy tags/clips have a set of standards to follow but don’t need to be CE marked and tag blankets are a grey area some trading standards consider them a toy and others don’t!”

Resources : CE Marking Support Network Facebook Group
CE testing

There was a stage when people made dummy clips with stuck on beads these have been declared now as illegal as they don’t conform to EN12586 and EN71 parts 1,2 and 3 and more importantly were a potential chocking hazard.  Dummy Clips made with threaded beads, fabric or cord are deemed safe if they conform to the above CE criteria. It’s paramount as a customer you check this but also as a business you know what you can and can’t do. “The beaded dummy clips in my collections surpass all safety testing, and have just this week been tested by Trading Standards in randomised anonymous tests of dummy clips and teething jewellery, all of which were passed as safe, and giving approval by Trading Standards in the UK.” Mama and Belle I particularly like their Safety Page as it makes me feel like the business takes safety serious but knows what the requirements are for every single product.

Pretty Little Polka Dot has an excellent and comprehensive blog post from length or cord (22cm) to how you go about self certification CE Testing for Dummy Clips. Well worth a read.




Trading Standards are beginning to clamp down on those using the CE marking illegally and those who don’t even consider that it applies to them.  This can only be music to the ears of those makers who do produce correctly CE marked products.  Long gone are the days when you can make “pin money” from a hobby making toys, if you take the money you are a business. 

When starting a small business the most important aspect in a “start-up” is RESEARCH!  So much time and effort is put into sourcing materials, deciding where to sell products and pricing as a crafter you MUST research your market too, checking for any rules, regulations that apply to the products you plan to sell. You must register self-employed and have correct insurances.

Next time you buy a handmade product aimed at children check it’s tested.

For more tips on developing your craft-based business check out my book “Crafting a Successful Small Business”

crafting a successful small business
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