Halloween may be the season of ghosts and ghouls, but when it comes to safety and sustainability, there is nothing spooky about European Standards. From glowing pumpkins to compostable candy wrappers, standards help make sure that our celebrations stay both fun and responsible.
Here are just a few ways European Standards keep Halloween safe and sustainable.
Costumes that Don’t Catch Fire – EN 71-2:2020+A1:2025
Whether it is witches, vampires or superheroes, costumes are a Halloween essential. But behind every sparkly cape and eerie mask lies an important safeguard: EN 71-2:2020+A1:2025 on the flammability of toys.
This standard sets strict limits on how easily children’s costumes and toy accessories can ignite. It ensures that materials burn slowly and self-extinguish, giving children time to move away from open flames like candles or lanterns.
In short: burning witches is a thing of the past - and European Standards make sure it stays that way.
Spooky Lights, Safe Nights – EN 60598-2-20
From glowing pumpkins to twinkling garden ghosts, lighting plays a big role in creating the Halloween mood. But before plugging in your decorative chains, there is a standard at work ensuring everything runs safely.
EN IEC 60598-2-20, part of the luminaires series, covers everything from insulation and wiring to heat resistance and moisture protection, reducing the risk of electric shocks or short circuits. So, when your garden lights flicker eerily this Halloween, you can thank European Standards for keeping the scares strictly decorative.
Sweet Treats, Greener Tricks – EN 13432
Once the trick or treating is over, the real horror often begins: plastic packaging on the loose! After all the candy is gone, European Standards help ensure an army of dead wrappers does not haunt the planet.
EN 13432 defines the requirements for packaging that can be recovered through composting and biodegradation. Packaging certified under this standard breaks down into natural elements without harming the environment. That means those biodegradable candy wrappers can disappear like magic, without leaving a trace.
Safe Smoke and Spooky Effects – EN 16263:2015 series
No Halloween party is complete without a mysterious cloud of fog or a burst of stage smoke. But even special effects need to meet safety requirements.
The EN 16263:2015 series applies to pyrotechnic articles used for entertainment, including smoke machines. It ensures that these devices operate safely, limit hazardous emissions, and guarantee the correct labels and instructions for users. In this way, when your haunted house is filled with fog, you can rest assured that European standards keep the fear safely under control.
From what we wear to what we plug in, and even what we throw away, European Standards quietly shape how we celebrate. This Halloween, as the candles flicker and the lights glow, take a moment to remember: behind every safe scare is a standard!
