The European Union has reached a provisional agreement on a revised regulation aimed at strengthening safety standards for children’s toys sold within the bloc’s single market. The deal, announced Thursday evening, was negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. The updated regulation introduces more stringent safety requirements to better protect children’s health and development. It expands the list of banned substances in toys and reinforces the responsibilities of manufacturers and distributors, referred to as economic operators, in ensuring compliance with the new standards.
Key measures include enhancements to safety warnings and the formalization of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) to support market surveillance. Under the new rules, the ban on chemicals classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMRs) has been extended to include other hazardous substances such as endocrine disruptors. These substances are increasingly recognized for their long-term impact on human health, particularly on hormonal systems.
The regulation further prohibits the use of skin sensitisers and biocidal-treated toys, with exceptions only for toys explicitly designed for permanent outdoor use. Biocidal substances, used to manage harmful organisms, are now restricted due to their potential environmental and health risks. The legislation also curtails the use of preservatives and bans fragrance allergens in toys intended for children under three years of age or those likely to be placed in the mouth.
Additionally, the agreement introduces a limited ban on the intentional use of per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in toys. Exemptions apply to components essential for electronic or electric functions that remain fully inaccessible to children. PFAS, used in various consumer products, have raised concern due to their persistence in the environment and links to serious health issues, including cancer and endocrine disruption.
Polish Minister for Economic Development and Technology Krzysztof Paszyk emphasized the importance of maintaining high safety standards. “Children’s safety must always come first. While the EU’s toy safety rules are among the strictest in the world, we must remain vigilant, adapt the rules to emerging risks, and ensure that safety standards are met for all toys, whether made in Europe or abroad,” he stated.
The updated regulation also empowers the European Commission to remove toys from the market in response to newly identified risks. European Parliament rapporteur Marion Walsmann noted that the agreement supports both consumer protection and industry fairness, calling it “a strong signal for the protection of our children, fair competition, and for Europe as a business location.” The agreement is provisional and must still be formally adopted by both institutions before entering into force. – By MENA Newswire News Desk.