A Simple Guide to Balloon Product Safety
Making sure balloon products are safe can feel complicated, so this guide is designed to make things as straightforward as possible. It isn’t legal advice, but it should help you carry out your own checks and protect both your business and your customers.
Foil Balloon Testing Requirements
The rules vary by country, but here’s the basic picture:
In the EU: If a foil balloon has play value (meaning it is intended, or could reasonably be expected, to be used by children as a toy), it must meet the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) and be tested under the EN 71 standards. Passing these tests allows the balloon to carry the CE mark.
In Great Britain: The same principle applies under the UK Toy Safety Regulations. Balloons with play value must be tested against designated EN 71 standards and show a UKCA mark(although CE marks are still accepted for a transitional period).
Key EN 71 Tests for Balloons classified as toys include:
Physical & Mechanical (EN 71-1): Check for small parts, sharp edges, or pieces that could cause choking or suffocation.
Flammability (EN 71-2): Test how easily the balloon material catches fire and how quickly it burns.
Chemicals (EN 71-3 & EN 71-12): Screen for harmful substances such as heavy metals or nitrosamines.
If a balloon passes the required tests, the manufacturer can declare it safe and apply the CE (EU) or UKCA (GB) mark.
Decoration vs. Toy
Decorations: If a foil balloon is clearly meant only for decoration (not for children to play with), it is usually not classed as a toy, so CE/UKCA marking may not be required. Packaging often carries a disclaimer such as: “This is a decoration, not a toy. Keep away from children, flames, and heat sources.”
Toys: If the balloon is marketed for children or clearly has play value, it is classed as a toy and must meet EN 71 testing and carry the correct safety mark.
Other Important Safety Points
Helium Safety: Any balloon designed to be filled with helium should carry a warning against inhaling helium, which can be fatal.
Supervision & Age Warnings: Uninflated or burst balloons can be dangerous. Children under 8 should not be left unsupervised with them. Clear age warnings should always be provided.
Marking & Packaging: Safety marks may appear either on the balloon itself or its packaging. Latex balloons, for example, are often marked only on packaging.
UK Transition Rules: In Great Britain, the UKCA mark is the official standard, but CE marks are still being accepted during the transition period.
