Can you sell amigurumi in the UK and Europe?
After doing quite a bit of research on the topic, I have learned a lot about whether or not you can sell your amigurumi in the UK & Europe. So I thought I’d open up and share what I now know with you in the hope that it helps your maker goals.
If you read my first ever crochet business update, you may already know that I have sold my crocheted creations before (thankfully this was predominantly only to friends and family). But one of the things I didn’t explain was… I actually shouldn’t have, and this was something I did not know.
I’m also a lot more wary of gifting any of the amigurumi I make now that I know what I know.
You see, I’m based in Scotland, and in the UK and Europe there is a legal requirement for toys or anything that can be considered a ‘toy’ to be marked with a UKCA or a CE mark.
This doesn’t just apply to makers based in the UK and Europe, but applies to anyone selling amigurumi to anyone in the UK and Europe.
It also doesn’t just apply to large toy manufacturers. It applies to anyone selling certain types of products (including handmade soft toys) whether they are made in bulk in a large factory or are handmade by a solo crocheter at home.
Yup, so that means if you’re on Etsy and you sell one of your amigurumi to someone in the UK or in Europe. If your amigurumi doesn’t have a UKCA or CE mark you are essentially breaking a law. You’re also putting yourself and your business at risk.
This sounds pretty scary, but honestly so many makers out there don’t even realise that this is a thing. And I will wholeheartedly admit that I was one of them! Which is exactly why I wanted to write this post. To share what I’ve learned, because honestly navigating this whole UKCA and CE thing for crocheters is quite daunting (I thought it was at first anyway!). It’s actually more simple than I realised.
What is a UKCA and CE mark?
First let me explain what UKCA and CE marks actually are and the difference between the two.
In basic terms, these marks are certification marks that mean the product you are selling meets certain legal health, safety and environmental requirements. These marks are placed on the tag attached to the item you are selling as proof that they meet these standards.
In the case of amigurumi, which are generally considered as toys, it ensures that the toy meets certain requirements and is safe for children to play with. It also reduces the risk of getting sued if a child ends up having some kind of health or safety incident with your amigurumi (I keep thinking of safety eyes and accidental choking incidents here, but I’m sure there are more possibilities…).
Of course, a UKCA or CE mark won’t stop you from being liable if any incident were to occur due to your handmade creation (that’s what liability insurance helps with), but it will give you that extra security in knowing that your amigurumi toys have been tested and meet the standards required by law in the UK or Europe.
Now, the difference between the two marks is mainly geographical.
The UKCA mark applies to Great Britain. For all non-Brits, this includes England, Wales, and Scotland, but does not include Northern Ireland.
In comparison, the CE mark applies to countries on the extended Single Market in the European Economic Area (EEA) as well as Northern Ireland. For everyone not on the continent (or like me, are not from this continent), countries included within the extended single market of the EEA are listed below.
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Republic of Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
I believe this may also apply to Switzerland as they are part of the single market, but are not an EU or EEA member country (I’m an Aussie living in the UK, and I’m sorry for still not completely understanding this all! 🙈).
Now, because I’m still learning and getting to grips with everything that needs to be done to actually go ahead and sell my own amigurumi, I want to share with you the official resources that will help you find out what you need to know. just so you’re not solely relying on my say-so or interpretation of the laws. I am by no means a lawyer/solicitor.
Firstly, here is the UK Government website about using the UKCA marks.
Secondly, here is the European Commission’s website on CE marking.
Now, I’m not going to pretend like I know everything about UKCA or CE marks, I don’t! And I’m still learning a lot. So if you are an expert on this topic, please do feel free to post a comment below and correct or add any additional information to what I’ve written here. I’d really appreciate it!
However, from my own research I do have a rough idea of how this all works and would like to pass on what I know to those of you who maybe haven't heard of UKCA or CE before.
How can I add a UKCA or CE mark to my amigurumi tags?
To add a UKCA or CE mark to your amigurumi you need an approved testing pack to kick off the process. You cannot just start adding the marks to your labels without going through a rigorous testing process whilst collecting the required documentation and notes along the way.
As an example, this is a UKCA & CE marking self-certification pack for soft toys that was recommended to me by other crocheters. As a side note, I have not purchased this pack for myself as yet, but I will be soon.
Then you simply follow the guidance within the pack to ensure your crocheted creations meet the legal requirements. This will include doing things like:
Gathering evidence on all the materials you use for your amigurumi. There are specific types of certificates you need to collect for all the materials you use to make your amigurumi from the yarn you use, to the stuffing and the safety eyes you use.
You then need to crochet a ‘dummy’ amigurumi using these materials as though you were selling the creation. However, this amigurumi cannot be sold, it is simply for testing.
Once your ‘dummy’ amigurumi is complete, you then need to follow the steps in your approved testing pack to test your amigurumi. This is a rigorous (but I’m assured a fairly simple) process that involves testing various aspects of your toy including fire and chemical tests as an example. These tests can be conducted at home, and the pack will guide you through the process.
During the testing process, you keep a record of all the tests you complete and the outcomes, keeping a detailed file of documentation along the way.
As long as your amigurumi passes the tests, you can then reproduce the item (yup, crochet it again as many times as you like) using the exact same types of materials and pattern that was used for your dummy amigurumi. Then you can start selling your amigurumi. Of course your final made items for selling should then all be tagged and marked with the UKCA & CE marks (yes, you can use both!).
Now this entire process can be quite costly, but this is the legal requirement if you’re selling your amigurumi in the UK and Europe.
Lastly, to ensure you’re completely covered in case anything ever did go wrong with your makes, you should also consider insurance (such as liability insurance). But please do get advice on this, as I have not gone through this process as yet and I’m not an insurance expert.
Getting help with UKCA & CE marking for your amigurumi
When I started investigating the process involved with being able to legally sell my amigurumi, I was given one top tip that has honestly helped me so much. And I’m delighted to share this top tip with you too!
There is a fantastic group on Facebook that is extremely helpful when it comes to going through the UKCA & CE marking process. It’s called the CE & UKCA Marked Soft Toy Support Network. I highly recommend joining the group if you’re interested in selling your amigurumi (no matter what stage you’re at!).
I’ve personally found this group to be extremely welcoming, supportive, collaborative and helpful.
I hope this blog post has helps you sell your handmade amigurumi in the UK and Europe. As I mentioned, this isn’t something I have done yet, however I hope the knowledge I’ve shared helps you kick the process off for yourself.
If you have any additional advice or top tips on getting UKCA / CE marks for your amigurumi, please do let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.
Until next time, happy crocheting,
Cilla x
