Playtime Protection: EU Standards for Toy Safety

The European Union has set tough¹ toy safety rules to keep kids safe during play. These rules cover many safety areas like physical, electrical, and chemical safety. Toys must meet these standards before they can be sold in the EU.

Contents

Keeping toys safe is very important in the European Union. The EU has some of the toughest toy safety laws in the world. But, there are still some issues with toys sold online by sellers from outside the EU.

The European Commission wants people to buy toys from trusted sources. This helps stop dangerous toys from getting into the market. The toy industry has worked with the European Commission for over 30 years to make these safety rules.

Key Takeaways

The EU has implemented stringent toy safety standards and regulations to protect children’s well-being.
Toy manufacturers and importers must adhere to strict guidelines to ensure their products meet high safety criteria.
The EU’s existing toy safety rules are among the strictest in the world, ensuring very safe toys from reputable manufacturers.
Significant regulatory gaps have been identified when toys are sold by non-EU third-party sellers via online marketplaces.
Consumers are advised to buy toys from trustworthy sources to mitigate the risks of unsafe toys entering the market.

Toy Safety: A Top Priority for the EU Toy Industry

The toy industry in the European Union (EU) is deeply committed to ensuring the safety of children who play with their products. Reputable toy companies design, manufacture, and test their toys with the EU’s strict safety standards in mind². They know their reputation depends on this strong focus on child safety.

Commitment to Protecting Children’s Well-being

EU toy manufacturers focus a lot on child safety. They keep up with the latest safety rules and make sure their toys meet or beat these standards². This isn’t just a legal thing for them; it’s a matter of doing what’s right.

Stringent Toy Safety Standards and Regulations

The EU’s Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC sets high safety standards for toys, updating the old Directive 88/378/EEC². Countries in the EU had to make this Directive their own law by 2011. Since then, it has been in effect, with rules about chemicals since 2013².

This Directive makes rules for chemicals in toys, banning harmful substances in toys kids can touch². It also stops the use of 19 dangerous elements like mercury and cadmium in toys kids can reach, and controls 55 allergenic fragrances².

Toys must meet these tough safety rules. Companies can check themselves or get a third party to check, both needing a CE mark². The rules for toy safety are made by groups like CEN and CENELEC, not the Directive itself².

Also, there are agreements between groups and the European Commission to make toys even safer, like with the Toy Industries of Europe².

“The EU toy industry’s commitment to child safety is unwavering, and they work tirelessly to ensure their products meet or exceed the strictest safety standards in the world.”

Combating Unreputable Operators and Unsafe Toys

Some toy sellers focus more on making money than on keeping kids safe. They sell unsafe toys and claim they are safe, even though they don’t meet EU safety rules. These sellers often use online marketplaces to sell these toys, taking advantage of regulatory gaps³.

A recent test by the Toys Industries of Europe (TIE) showed how big the problem is. 97% of toys from third-party sellers on big online sites didn’t follow EU laws, and 76% were not safe for kids³.

Closing Regulatory Loopholes for Online Marketplaces

The rise of unsafe toys on online marketplaces shows we need to fix the regulatory gaps. We must work together to make sure toys sold online are safe for kids³.

Key Findings from the TIE Online Mystery Shopping Exercise
97% of toys bought from third-party sellers on major online platforms were non-compliant with EU law
76% of toys bought were deemed unsafe for children

These numbers show we must act fast to stop unreputable operators and unsafe toys on online marketplaces. We need to make regulatory frameworks stronger and enforcement better to keep kids safe³.

“The findings of our online mystery shopping exercise expose the urgent need to close the regulatory loopholes that allow unscrupulous sellers to peddle unsafe toys through online marketplaces. We are committed to working with policymakers and consumer protection agencies to ensure the safety of children across Europe.”

– John Doe, Secretary-General, Toys Industries of Europe (TIE)

Toy Safety Tips for Consumers

When it comes to toy safety, consumers play a crucial role. Families and caregivers must stay alert and focus on safety, even after buying a toy. The toy industry has set safety tips to help keep playtime safe and fun⁴.

New toys for kids under eight should be sharp glass and metal edge-free⁴.
The law bans small parts in toys for kids under three, like removable eyes and noses on dolls, and small squeakers on squeeze toys⁴.
Toys with long strings or cords are dangerous for infants and young kids, posing strangulation risks⁴.
A CPSC rule prohibits sharp points in toys for kids under eight⁴.
More kids have suffocated on uninflated balloons and broken balloon pieces than on any other toy⁴.
Electric toys must meet safety standards for surface temperatures, electrical parts, and warning labels⁴.
Infant toys, like rattles and teethers, should be big enough to prevent choking⁴.

To enhance toy safety, consider these tips:⁵

Toys are age-graded for safety, considering choking risks, physical skills, and child development⁵.
Use Mylar balloons instead of latex to avoid choking hazards⁵.
Choose toys labeled phthalate-free, PVC-free, and BPA-free, and avoid plastics with recycling codes #3, #6, and #7⁵.
Ensure paints and art materials are labeled “non-toxic.”⁵
Toys for older kids should not have sharp edges or metal parts, and avoid them for toddlers and babies⁵.
Prevent choking hazards by ensuring toys and parts can’t fit in an empty toilet paper tube for kids under three⁵.
Toys with loud noises can harm hearing; check for warning labels⁵.
Toys with cords over 7 inches can be harmful for babies; avoid hanging toys in cribs⁵.
Electric toys should be “UL Approved,” and heat-up toys are okay for kids over 8 with adult supervision⁵.
Toys with magnets are dangerous if swallowed; keep them away from young children⁵.
Store toys off the floor in a safe place; toy chests should have air holes and be easy to open⁵.
Check toys for damage, especially wooden ones for splinters or sharp edges⁵.
Follow toy instructions and stay updated on recalls through the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission⁵.

It’s also important to know these additional safety guidelines:⁶

Kids 13 and younger must wear helmets when biking, skating, or riding skateboards and scooters⁶.
Button batteries can cause burns and serious injuries if swallowed⁶.
Magnetic parts in toys can cause serious injury or death if swallowed⁶.
Always follow age recommendations on toy labels, keeping older kids’ toys away from babies and toddlers⁶.
Toys should meet the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) safety standards⁶.
Toys labeled as ‘non-toxic’ are recommended for purchase⁶.
Information on toy recalls is available through the New York State Department of Health and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission⁶.

By following these toy safety tips, consumers can make sure playtime stays safe and fun for all kids.

The Toy Industry’s Role in Shaping Toy Safety Rules

For over 30 years, the toy industry has been a key player in making toy safety rules in Europe. It has shared its industry expertise with the European Commission. Together, they’ve made guidance documents that tackle tough topics in the Toy Safety Directive⁷.

The toy industry also works with the EU’s Toy Safety Expert Group. They team up with experts from around Europe and consumer groups. This helps in making European toy safety regulations better and more effective⁷.

Contributing Expertise to Guidance Documents

The toy industry does more than just follow the rules. It shares its deep knowledge of making toys, the materials used, and safety measures. This helps the European Commission make rules and standards that work well in real life⁷.

Participation in Expert Groups and Standardization Bodies

The toy industry shows its commitment to safety by joining the EU’s Toy Safety Expert Group. They work with experts and consumer groups to improve safety standards. This teamwork helps make European toy safety regulations better⁷.

toy safety regulations

The toy industry is key in making toy safety regulations that keep European kids safe. It works closely with authorities and other groups. This shows the industry’s commitment to safe and fun playtime for all⁷.

Shocking Statistics on Unsafe Toys from Online Marketplaces

Online platforms are selling more unsafe toys, which is a big worry for kids’ safety. Recent studies show how big this problem is.

A 2020 report by Toys Industries of Europe (TIE) found a huge 97% of toys from third-party sellers on big online sites didn’t meet EU safety laws. 76% of toys tested were not safe for kids⁸.

This issue isn’t just about toys. Toys made up 20% of the European Rapid Alert System (RAPEX) reports. Also, almost half of the toys tested had harmful chemicals or small parts that could choke or suffocate kids⁸.

Things have gotten worse over time. The list of substances needing safety labels for toys grew from 11 in 2009 to 71⁸. Plus, Euroconsumers found high levels of bisphenols like bisphenol A in kids’ products⁸.

Marketplace	Failure Rate of Safety Tests
AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Wish	90%⁹

The Toy Safety Regulation wants to use digital product passports to watch over toys coming into the EU. But, there are worries about the risks of connected toys or products with AI and data capture not being covered⁸.

These scary stats show we need to act fast to stop unsafe toys from being sold online. We must protect children’s safety and well-being⁸⁹.

“The high number of non-compliant and dangerous goods being sold online is extremely concerning and requires immediate action from the government and online marketplaces to protect consumers, especially children.”

Updating the EU Toy Safety Rules: Reasons and Challenges

Lawmakers in the European Union are updating toy safety rules to better protect children. They want to keep kids safe from harmful chemicals¹⁰ and stop dangerous toys from getting into the EU¹⁰.

Protecting Children Against Harmful Chemicals

New rules will make it stricter to use harmful substances in toys¹⁰. They will also look at mental health risks for kids¹⁰.

Tackling the Influx of Unsafe Toys

To stop dangerous toys from coming in, a Digital Product Passport will be needed for all toys¹⁰. This system, along with better checks at borders, will help keep toys safe¹⁰.

But, some worry that these changes might not solve the main issue. They think some toys come from shady makers outside the EU who don’t follow safety rules¹⁰.

“The European Parliament Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) unanimously approved the update of the EU toy safety rules with 37 votes in favor.”¹¹

The new rules focus on making toys safe, secure, and private, especially those with digital parts¹¹. Toys with smart tech are seen as high-risk and will be checked closely¹¹. They must pass tests to ensure they’re safe for kids’ mental health¹¹.

Manufacturers will have to make digital passports for each toy to show they meet safety standards¹¹. These passports will help with checks and inspections at borders¹¹. Consumers can easily find safety info with QR codes on toys¹¹.

The new rules also cover online sales, reporting incidents, and giving consumers the right info and help¹⁰.

Concerns Regarding the Proposed Changes

The toy industry is worried about the new EU toy safety rules¹². They fear that strict bans on certain elements could mean some safe toys might be taken off the market¹².

Small European toy makers, who are 99% of the industry, are also concerned¹³. These are often family businesses with a long history¹³. They worry that the new rules could make it hard for them to stay in business¹³.

Potential Banning of Safe and Well-loved Toys

The toy industry thinks the new EU rules could lead to the ban of safe toys¹². This is because the bans on certain elements are too strict, even for things already checked carefully¹².

Impact on Small European Toy Manufacturers

About 99% of the toy industry are small and medium-sized businesses, many family-owned¹³. They’re afraid the new rules will make it hard for them to keep up¹³. This could put them at a big disadvantage against big companies¹³.

Concern	Impact
Banning of safe and well-loved toys	Due to drastic bans on certain elements, even those already restricted at safe levels
Impact on small European toy manufacturers	Burdensome conformity assessment procedures and unrealistic limits may cripple small businesses, putting them at a disadvantage compared to larger corporations

“The toy industry is made up of 99% SMEs according to Catherine Van Reeth, Director-General of TIE.”¹³

Toy safety

The European Union is updating its toy safety rules, causing concerns in the toy industry. They worry about setting too low limits for some substances. For example, a ban on latex balloons because of nitrosamine levels that don’t match scientific findings¹⁴.

Small companies are also worried about the tough conformity assessment rules. They might have to spend a lot to show their toys are safe, which could make it hard for new companies to start. This could also reduce the variety of toys available in Europe¹⁴.

Unrealistic Limits and Bans on Harmless Substances

The toy industry thinks some new limits and bans are not based on science. They believe some harmless substances could be restricted. For instance, the plan to ban latex balloons because of nitrosamine levels goes against current safety standards¹⁴.

Burdensome Conformity Assessment Procedures

The proposed conformity assessment rules are another big worry. They aim to check if toys have certain substances, but could be too hard and expensive for small companies. This could stop innovation and make the European toy market less diverse¹⁴.

As the EU updates its toy safety rules, finding a balance is key. It’s important to protect kids and let the toy industry be creative and successful. Talks between regulators and the industry are crucial to make rules that work well¹⁴.

Suggested Improvements to the Toy Safety Rules

The toy industry has made several key suggestions for the EU toy safety rules. These ideas aim to make toys safer while being practical for manufacturers, especially small ones. The industry’s recommendations focus on making rules clearer, updating chemical limits, and introducing a digital product passport.

Harmonizing Interpretations Across EU Member States

One big concern is that safety rules are not the same across all EU countries. This inconsistency can cause confusion for toy makers in Europe. The industry wants clearer guidelines and better coordination among EU regulators. This would make sure everyone follows the same rules.

Appropriate Age-based Exposure Limits

Another idea is to set chemical limits based on a toy’s intended age group. Infants and toddlers need stricter limits because they are more vulnerable. This approach would protect children without stopping innovation or making toys unavailable.

Updating Outdated Limits and Banning Hazardous Substances

The industry also backs updating old chemical limits and banning dangerous substances in toys. As science changes, safety rules must too, to keep children safe.¹⁵ This focus on science helps the industry make the safest toys possible.

Implementing a Digital Product Passport

Finally, the industry likes the idea of a digital product passport. This system would make it easier to spot and remove unsafe toys.¹⁵ It would also help small toy companies by making things more transparent and traceable.

The toy industry’s ideas show a strong commitment to child safety and practical rules. By working with regulators, the industry wants a framework that protects kids and supports innovation.¹⁵¹⁶¹⁷

The Role of Toy Manufacturers in Ensuring Safety

Toy makers are key to making sure their products are safe. They follow strict EN 71 toy safety standards set by the EU. These standards cover many important safety points¹⁸. To meet these standards, toy makers work with testing services like QIMA. These services help with design, production, and checking before shipping, making sure toys are safe and quality¹⁸.

Adhering to EN 71 Toy Safety Standards

The EU’s EN 71 standard sets clear safety rules for toys. It’s key for toy safety in the EU¹⁸. ISO 8124 is another set of standards from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for toy safety. It’s used by many countries around the world¹⁸. In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) has strict rules for toys, including limits on lead and phthalates¹⁸.

Partnering with Testing and Inspection Services

Toy makers work with trusted testing services to make sure their toys are safe. These services check for many things, like non-toxic materials, durability, choking hazards, harmful chemicals, and age safety¹⁸. Groups that watch over the market also help by finding and recalling dangerous toys, keeping kids safe¹⁸.

The toy industry is always changing, with new tech, changing what people want, and new rules. Toy makers must keep up and improve their checks to make sure toys are safe and meet standards¹⁸. Companies like ZHXTOYS do this by checking and auditing their products closely, making sure they’re safe and follow the rules¹⁸.

Toy Safety Regulations	Key Features
EN 71 (European Union)	Comprehensive safety requirements for toys in the EU market
ISO 8124 (International)	Series of toy safety standards recognized globally
CPSIA (United States)	Strict regulations for children’s products, including toys
Japan Toy Safety Standard (ST)	Toy safety regulations in Japan
AS/NZS 8124 (Australia/New Zealand)	Toy safety standards in Australia and New Zealand
NOM (Mexico)	Toy safety regulations in Mexico

“Continuous improvement in toy quality control is essential due to emerging technologies, changing consumer expectations, globalization, regulatory changes, and environmental concerns within the toy industry.”

Conclusion

The European Union has set strong toy safety rules to protect kids at play. Good toy makers in the EU work hard with experts and rules makers to make toys safer. Even with challenges, like stopping dangerous toys from bad sellers¹⁹, the toy world is teaming up with lawmakers and buyers to keep kids safe in the EU.

The EU really cares about keeping toys safe, with strict rules and updates. Sadly, toys can hurt kids, with¹⁹ 14 toy deaths in the U.S. in 2019 and over 224,200 kids hurt in hospitals that year. Most of these kids were boys. The COVID-19 pandemic made toy checks drop, which worries experts about dangerous toys out there¹⁹.

The EU is making its toy safety rules even better. It’s key that the toy world and lawmakers tackle the problem of dangerous toys online. By focusing on keeping kids safe, the EU aims to let kids play safely and worry-free. The toy industry and the EU’s strong rules will help make sure toys are safe, keeping kids safe and sound.

FAQ

What are the EU’s toy safety standards and regulations?

The European Union has strict toy safety rules. These rules are outlined in the EU Toy Safety Directive EN 71. They cover safety aspects like physical, mechanical, electrical, chemical, and flammability.

How committed is the toy industry in the EU to ensuring child safety?

The toy industry in the EU is very committed to child safety. They design, make, and test toys to meet EU safety standards. This ensures toys are safe for kids.

What is the issue with unscrupulous operators selling unsafe toys?

Some sellers focus on making money over safety. They sell unsafe toys, sometimes saying they meet EU safety standards. This is often done online, taking advantage of gaps in rules.

What toy safety tips does the industry provide for consumers?

The toy industry offers safety tips to keep playtime safe and fun. These tips help consumers check toys before and after buying them.

How has the toy industry contributed to shaping the EU’s toy safety rules?

The toy industry has helped shape safety rules. They share their knowledge with the European Commission. They also work with experts and consumer groups to improve safety standards.

What are the concerning statistics on unsafe toys from online marketplaces?

A 2020 report by Toys Industries of Europe found 97% of toys from third-party sellers online didn’t meet EU safety laws. 76% of these toys were unsafe for kids.

What are the main reasons for updating the EU toy safety rules?

The European Commission wants to update toy safety rules to protect kids from harmful chemicals. They aim to stop unsafe toys from reaching the EU market.

What are the toy industry’s concerns about the proposed changes to the EU toy safety rules?

The industry worries that new rules could ban safe toys. They also fear the rules could be too hard for small companies to follow.

What specific concerns does the toy industry have about the proposed changes?

The industry is worried about strict limits on some substances, like latex balloons. They also think the rules will be hard for small companies to follow.

What improvements has the toy industry suggested for the proposed changes to the EU toy safety rules?

The industry suggests making safety rules clearer across the EU. They want limits to match the child’s age and to update old limits with new science. They also want to ban dangerous substances and support a digital product passport.

What role do toy manufacturers play in ensuring the safety of their products?

Toy makers must follow strict EU safety standards. They work with testing services during design and production. This ensures they deliver safe, quality toys.