The European Parliament has adopted new toy safety rules banning endocrine disruptors, PFAS and bisphenols, with a 4.5-year transition period for implementation.
STRASBOURG: The European Parliament has adopted new rules banning several harmful chemicals in toys to better protect children’s health.
German EU lawmaker Marion Walsmann, who spearheaded the legislation, said “with the new toy safety regulation, Europe is sending a clear signal: safety must not be left up to chance.”
The regulations establish a four-and-a-half-year transition period to ban toys containing endocrine disruptors that interfere with the body’s hormone system.
They also prohibit the intentional use of PFAS “forever chemicals” that take extremely long periods to break down in the environment.
Chronic exposure to these chemicals has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol, reduced immune responses, low birth weights and several types of cancer.
The legislation additionally bans the most dangerous types of bisphenols from toy manufacturing.
Manufacturers must now conduct comprehensive safety checks covering chemical, physical, mechanical and electrical hazards before bringing toys to market.
The rules aim to reduce unsafe toys through improved enforcement and enhanced customs controls across the European Union.
All toys must display a clearly visible digital product passport demonstrating compliance with relevant safety requirements.
The new measures address growing concerns about online shopping, including purchases from outside the EU, and the increasing use of digital technologies.
Walsmann described the regulation as “a win for everyone: consumers, manufacturers and the future of our children.”
