Safety Information For Kathe Kruse Toys

The Fisher Price and Thomas the Tank Engine Wooden Train toy recalls have led many of us to re-examine the issue of toy safety. In light of these recalls, we felt we had to address this issue in reference to the toys we carry.

The recalled toys were made in Chinese factories. Kathe Kruse (Kaethe Kruse Puppen) toys are handcrafted in Europe. Kathe Kruse is one of the few European toymakers today that still wholly make their products in Europe.

Kathe Kruse toys also comply with the following safety standards:

• GS: Stands for Geprüfte Sicherheit. Translated from German, it means "safety-tested". This mark has its roots in the German Equipment and Product Safety Act. Products and the production line are inspected by a state-approved body. This mark has wide recognition in the European Union.
• EN 71: Stands for European Norm. EN 71 deals with toy safety. EN-71 regulates such matters as labeling, testing for toxic metals such as mercury and lead, flammability, toy strength etc.
• ASTM: stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. Formed in 1898 in the US, ASTM International is perhaps the largest standards developer in the world. Their standards take into account new toy technologies and injury reports as well as input by scientists, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and others with an interest in the toy industry.
• Oko-Tex (Oeko-Tex) standards regulates fabrics. Fabrics with this mark are free from harmful concentrations of toxic chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals and formaldehyde.

We also carry a wide range of Kathe Kruse organic toys. Those toys are certified organic by German authorities. The certifications are: kbA (cotton) and kbT (wool). This means that the cotton is free from pesticides as well as the residues of a number of other toxic additives involved in the production and processing of the toy. The wool comes from controlled organic livestock. That means feed, living conditions, parasite control etc. are all regulated.

In the unlikely event of a recall, we will immediately contact those of you who have bought the affected toys and give you information about how and where you should return the toy.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using our webmail form.