How we keep our friends safe.
Every Teddys Tiny Friend is hand-made to meet the requirements of UK toy safety law — the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 and the relevant parts of the BS EN 71 safety standards. Here's what that means in plain language, and the care we take with every stitch.
Our crochet animals are designed to comply with the UK Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, which implement the requirements of EU Directive 2009/48/EC for the GB market. Each batch is documented and traceable.
We follow the relevant BS EN 71 toy safety standards: EN 71-1 (mechanical & physical properties), EN 71-2 (flammability) and EN 71-3 (migration of certain elements / chemical safety).
Where plastic safety eyes are used, they are fitted with a locking washer on the inside of the toy and pull-tested before despatch. All seams, limbs and attachments are reinforced to prevent loose small parts.
100% cotton or chenille yarn from OEKO-TEX certified suppliers where possible, and hi-loft polyester fibrefill stuffing. No glass eyes, no buttons, no detachable small parts.
Like most plush toys, our crochet animals contain hi-loft polyester fibrefill, which is a synthetic textile fibre and is FLAMMABLE if exposed to open flame. They are tested to meet the flammability requirements of BS EN 71-2 (the UK toy flammability standard), but they MUST still be kept well away from fires, candles, cookers, heaters and any other naked flame or extreme heat.
Our toys that include plastic safety eyes carry the standard warning:⚠️ Warning: not suitable for children under 36 months. Small parts — choking hazard.For children under 3, please choose one of our toys with fully embroidered features (eyes stitched directly into the yarn). In every case we recommend adult supervision during play, and we ask that you regularly inspect the toy for any signs of wear, loose stitches, or damage. If anything comes loose, please stop use immediately and contact us — we'll repair or replace where possible.
Our crochet animals are filled with hi-loft polyester fibrefill — the soft, fluffy stuffing standard in soft toys across the world. Polyester fibrefill is a synthetic textile and is flammable. Each toy is made to meet the flammability requirements of BS EN 71-2(the UK / EU toy flammability standard), and every toy ships with the legally required printed warning:
In practice that means please keep your little friend well away from candles, open fires, gas hobs, electric heaters, fireworks, lit cigarettes and any other naked flame or source of intense heat. Do not place near a radiator or in direct prolonged sunlight in a hot car. As with any soft toy, if it does come into contact with flame the polyester filling can ignite quickly — please treat ours with the same care you would give a duvet, pillow or any other home textile.
Each toy ships with a printed swing tag showing the maker (Teddys Tiny Friends), batch identifier, materials, age guidance, the appropriate UKCA / CE marking, and the required "Keep away from fire" flammability warning. A written Declaration of Conformity and supporting technical file is kept for ten years from the date the toy was first placed on the market.
Surface-clean only — sponge with cool water and a tiny amount of gentle, fragrance-free detergent, then air-dry flat away from direct heat. Avoid the washing machine and tumble dryer; both can stretch the stitches and loosen the safety eyes.
If you have any questions about the safety of a specific toy, or you'd like a copy of the Declaration of Conformity for an item you've received, please email us at info@teddystinyfriends.co.uk and we'll send it over. We take this seriously — these are toys made for small humans we love too.
References: UK Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 · BS EN 71-1 (mechanical) / EN 71-2 (flammability) / EN 71-3 (chemical) · UKCA & CE marking guidance, gov.uk.