The European Commission welcomes the provisional political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the new toy safety rules, following the proposal for a Regulation on Toy Safety from 28 July 2023.
The new Regulation will ban harmful chemicals, such as PFAS, endocrine disruptors, and bisphenols, in toys. All toys will have a Digital Product Passport to prevent unsafe toys sold online and offline from entering the EU. The Regulation sets stricter rules on online sales and gives inspectors more powers to remove dangerous toys from the market. This ensures that imported toys are as safe for consumers as toys manufactured in the EU.
The new requirements
Building on existing rules, the new Toy Safety Regulation updates the safety requirements that toys must meet to be marketed in the EU. Specifically, todays agreement will:
- Better protection against harmful chemicals: In addition to already banned substances, the new Regulation will prohibit chemicals affecting the endocrine or respiratory systems, those that can cause skin allergies or are toxic to a specific organ. It will also ban dangerous bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in toys.
- Better use of digital tools: With the new Regulation, all toys must have a Digital Product Passport in the form of a data carrier, such as a QR code, on the toy. Consumers or authorities can easily see the toys product, compliance, and other information. Importers must submit digital product passports at EU borders, including for toys sold online. A new IT system will screen all digital product passports at the EUs external borders and identify shipments needing detailed customs checks. Checks on toys by national inspectors will be facilitated as information will be readily available in the digital product passport. This will streamline actions against unsafe toys in the EU and ensure fair competition among toy manufacturers.
Next step
The political agreement now awaits formal approval by the European Parliament and the Council. It will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. The Regulation foresees a transition period for industry and authorities to adapt to the new rules.
Background
Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys establishes the safety requirements that toys must meet to be placed on the EU market, regardless of their origin. This facilitates the free movement of toys within the Single Market.
Following an evaluation of the Directive, the Commission identified several weaknesses in its practical application since 2009. There is a need for higher protection against possible risks in toys, specifically from harmful chemicals. The evaluation also concluded that the Directive needs more efficient implementation, especially regarding online sales.
As a result, the Commission presented the proposal for a Regulation on Toy Safety on 28 July 2023.
For more information
Evaluation of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC
Proposal for a Regulation on Toy Safety
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