Battery Compartment Fasteners should be Captive - a New Requirement in EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020

As described in our earlier newsletter, Issue 09/20/TCD, EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020 has been published for "Electric Toys – Safety" to replace the previous version:  EN 62115:2005 + A12:2015.  The new version of EN IEC 62115 has already been listed in the European Commission's "Summary List of Titles and References of Harmonized Standards Under Directive 2009/48/EC for Toys".

EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020 includes many significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition.

For instance, a common non-compliance can be found on the battery compartment fasteners, which can easily be noticed by the European authorities in market surveillance, as shown in the photo.

As explained in the new requirements below, before testing with the 20N force, the screw should be captive in the first place.

New Requirements for Battery Compartment Fasteners

13.4-6 Battery compartment fasteners

• If screws or similar fasteners are used to secure a door or cover providing access to the battery compartment, the screw or similar fastener shall be captive to ensure that they remain with the door, cover or equipment.
• Compliance is checked by inspection and by the following test after the battery door or cover is opened.
• A force of 20N is applied to the screw or similar fastener without jerks for a duration of 10 seconds in any direction.
• The screw or similar fastener shall not become separated from the door, cover or equipment.

Effective Date:

The new issue of the standard has already been implemented at the European national level on 2020-09-02, by the publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement.  And 2021-12-02 is the latest date to withdraw all European national standards conflicting with the new issue.

References:

https://www.cenelec.eu/dyn/www/f?p=104:110:681153922650101::::FSP_ORG_ID,FSP_PROJECT,FSP_LANG_ID:1257159,66748,25

https://ec.europa.eu/growth/single-market/european-standards/harmonised-standards/toys_en

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