Today, the European Parliament approved the EU Toys Safety Regulation.
The regulation aims at reducing the number of dangerous toys that still find their way into consumers’ hands. The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament have successfully ensured that not only children under 14 will be protected, but also the adults that play with them, and that online marketplaces take responsibility for the sale of toys that do not comply with the future regulation.
The Progressives have also contributed to: making the rules on the presence of hazardous chemical substances in toys much stricter; lowering the maximum allowable limits for allergenic fragrances to be used in toys; setting a ban on chemical compounds classified as human carcinogens, such as cadmium, chromium VI and nitrosamines.
Brando Benifei, S&D MEP and shadow rapporteur on the Toys Safety Regulation, said:
“Toys prominently contribute to children’s development. Yet, according to EU data*, in 2022, toys were among the most dangerous non-food products in the EU market. We cannot put our children’s health at risk! We have fought to make sure that toys emitting a sound shall be designed and manufactured in such a way that the sound will not hurt children’s hearing.
“Digitalisation has a great impact on our children’s development. In light of the adoption of the world's first-ever regulation of artificial intelligence, the Socialists and Democrats pushed to ensure that toys with artificial intelligence are covered by the AI Act. But we regret that the right-wing majority was too shy in this regard.
“Thanks to our work, manufacturers of digitally-connected toys such as watches, tablets or educational robots, will have to take into account the risks to children’s mental health and cognitive development. They must ensure that the products they are putting on the market not only meet the highest standards of safety, but also those of security and privacy.”
Sara Cerdas, S&D MEP and rapporteur on the Toys Safety Regulation in the ENVI committee, said:
“In the EU, we proudly aim to have the highest quality standards in our products – toys are no exception. Every day, children are exposed to chemicals, some potentially harmful. The regulation on toy safety takes a crucial step towards ensuring the protection of our children. We ban a wide range of chemicals that cause cognitive, neurological, immune, and even carcinogenic problems. Safer alternatives need to be found, so all authorized exemptions must be limited in time until their replacement. Harmonization of production and marketing rules, and requirements is essential, as this is the only way to ensure that toys made and sold in any member state take children's health into account, both in the short, medium, and long term.
“We protect consumers and we leave no one behind, from the youngest to the oldest.”
Notes to editors
The regulation will lay down the safety requirements that toys placed on the EU market must meet, whether they are manufactured in or outside the EU. It includes a ban on the use of chemical substances that pose a threat to people’s health.
*Data collected from the Safety Gate report published by the European Commission on 2022.
