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Safe toysbegin in the laboratory

Testing for children’s toys with responsibility. At CTL GmbH in Bielefeld all testing procedures remain in trusted hands, as a family-run company we conduct testing consistently in Germany.

Testing for children’s toys with responsibility.

Children explore their world with all their senses. They touch, throw, tear and, above all, put things in their mouths. This is why toy safety is paramount. In the toy laboratory of CTL GmbH in Bielefeld we test soft, child-appropriate toys with the greatest care and comprehensive expertise. Whether for retail to obtain CE marking or for internal quality assurance, we deliver independent and accredited test results you can rely on.

Our laboratory is accredited to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 and specialised in testing toys with soft filling, exactly the products that are used most intensively. From soft toys to grasping toys we support manufacturers, retailers and importers in complying with legal requirements and international safety standards.

Ein Teddybär

What we test – and why it matters

Our toy tests cover all requirements of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC and the EN 71 series of standards. Essential for CE marking and legal sale in the European market.

Physical–mechanical tests:
  • Check for swallowable small parts (particularly relevant for children under 3 years)
  • Inspection for sharp edges, points, tear-resistant seams and potential injury risks
  • Flammability according to EN 71-2, especially for soft toys with textile covering
Chemical–analytical tests:
  • Detection of heavy metals, plasticizers (phthalates), PAHs, nitrosamines
  • Saliva and sweat resistance: crucial for products that are regularly put into the mouth
  • Migration tests according to food law when toys are used in a similar manner
Additional services:
  • Support with CE marking and the preparation of declarations of conformity
  • Consultation on test plans, especially for smaller companies without their own quality assurance department
  • Testing according to additional standards such as REACH, POP regulation

Your benefits with CTL
- safety with system

We understand that quality assurance in the toy sector is more than a formality. Our tests offer manufacturers and retailers:

  • legal certainty: through standards-compliant testing with court-proof documentation
  • consumer trust: through transparent evidence of product safety
  • speed and cost efficiency: especially for mainstream products with soft filling

A distinctive USP: CTL combines physical–mechanical tests with cutting-edge chemical analytics. We are not only technically strong but also close on a human level. With personal support, direct communication and clear, comprehensible test reports we create trust and orientation.

Who we test for
– and how we support

Our services are aimed in particular at:

  • quality managers who need legally compliant test reports
  • buyers who want to minimise risks in their ranges
  • product developers who consider safety from prototype stage
  • importers and retailers who rely on CE conformity

Our aim is not only to test but also to advise. We explain the results, give pointers for product optimisation and actively support the implementation of regulatory requirements. Individual, solution-oriented and as equals.

We are happy to answer your questions in a personal consultation. Contact us.

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