Guidance for toys

Guidance for toys

The toy safety directive 2009/48/EC (link) is one of the most important pieces of product legislation. Children do not yet have sufficient knowledge of risks and they are vulnerable. Adult sellers rely on the toy making industry for safe products. Unfortunately, the number of recalled toys remains (too) high.

There is way to acquire knowledge on the toy safety directive from the "source".
The European Commission and the "Expert Group on Toy Safety" have issued guidance documents to support the toy industry when seeking compliance with the toy safety directive:

• There is a general explanatory guide available in English and Chinese;
• And additional guide on the required technical documentation for toys, also in English and Chinese;
• An overview of all warnings in the different EU languages;
• Guidance on age classification: under 3 years or not;
• Guidance on "mouthing": toys that may be placed in the mouth;
• Microbiological safety of toys;
• Washability of toys;
• Involvement of Notified Bodies;
• A template of the EU Declaration of Conformity.

And there are informative guidance documents with pictures for specific product groups that explain if these products are toys or not. The following products are covered:

• "Grey zone" products, is it a toy or not;
• Toy scooters, kick scooters and steps;
• Floating seats;
• Miniatures;
• Dolls and collector items;
• Toys used in and on water;
• Pools;
• Books;
• Musical instruments;
• Packaging;
• Crafts;
• Sports;
• Stationery, pens and pencils;
• Electronics;
• Disguise costumes;
• Puffer balls;
• Soother holders;
• Soft toys with sequins;
• Microwavable toys.
• Decorative products and products for collectors.

All guidance documents can be found here: https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/toys/safety/guidance_en.