The European Union's new directive on toy safety, released in June 30, 2009, entered into force in July 20, 2009, and began to invalidate the current directive 88/378/EEC in July 20, 2011, and the new chemical requirements will come into force in July 2013.

The background of the new directive

The old version of the European Union toy safety directive, 88/378/EEC, has made great achievements in guaranteeing the safety of the European market and eliminating trade barriers between member countries since its promulgation in 1988. However, with the changes of the times, the inadequacies of the instruction are increasingly exposed, such as the need to be further improved, the efficiency of the instruction is not high, the scope and concept are not clear, and so on. And toys on the market are using more and more new materials. So in 2003, the European Union began to consider revising it and widely soliciting public opinions. In January 25, 2008, the EU issued instructions to amend the proposal COM (2008) 9. The European Parliament passed the proposal in December 18, 2008, passed the official text in June 18, 2009, and eventually published in the official bulletin of the European Union in June 30, 2009, and the new directive was numbered 2009/48/EC.

After the release of the new directive, Member States will convert it into their own laws within 18 months, i.e., before January 20, 2011. In addition, the new directive has set a 2 year transition period, that is, products that meet the requirements of the old instructions can continue to be put into the market by July 20, 2011, and the transition period of the terms of chemical requirements is 4 years, that is, in line with the chemical requirements in the old instructions and not in accordance with the chemical requirements in the new directive. It may be in July 20, 2013. Continue to put in the market before.



The change of the new instruction:

“ toy ” scope and definition: designed for or used for playing products for children under 14 years old, whether or not they are specially used for playing.



Requirements for each economic operating entity:

1. Manufacturer:

(1) ensure toy design meets the basic safety requirements and special safety requirements of toys stipulated by the European Union;

(2) develop Product File/Technical Document and implement compliance assessment procedures (i.e., conformity assessment / safety assessment). When the product assessment results are qualified, EC compliance statement is formulated;

(3) after the toys are put on the market, the product files and EC declaration of conformity must be kept for 10 years;

(4) it is necessary to ensure that a qualified production procedure is kept in place during a series of production processes, and the changes in any design or features and the updating of the reference standards must be fully taken into account;

(5) the type, number or serial number or model number, or any other identities must be marked on a toy, or any other identities: when the size or character of the toy is limited, the information may be marked in the package or the instructions;

(6) the name, the registered name or the registered trademark and the associated address must be labeled on the toy or the package. When the size of the toy is limited, the above information can be noted in the accompanying instruction;

(7) instructions and safety information must be understood easily by consumers in the member states;

(8) when a manufacturer is or has reason to believe that the toy put into the market does not conform to the EU regulations, the necessary corrective measures must be taken immediately, withdrawn or recalled. When the toy is at risk, the competent department of the member state must be immediately informed;

(9) when receiving the request of the competent department, all information and documents must be provided to prove that the toy is qualified. At the same time, we should cooperate with them to take actions to eliminate the danger of toys.



2. Importers and distributors require

The new Directive requires importers and distributors to check step by step, including:

- the importer should check whether the manufacturer meets the requirements, such as whether there is a technical file or whether a qualification procedure is carried out, and a random sampling inspection can be made when required;

(1) qualified mark, such as importing the name on toys or packaging, for liaison;

(2) to ensure that instructions or other materials on toys are written in the language that consumers can understand;

(3) ensure that the toy transport or storage process still meets the requirements.



3, substantially strengthened the requirements of chemical properties:

(1) toys must comply with European Union regulations on certain products and certain restrictions on substances and mixtures (including REACH regulations);

(2) prohibit the use of carcinogenic, mutagenesis or reproductive toxic substances (CMR) in toys or toy parts;

(3) the toy itself is a substance or mixture, and must comply with the relevant instructions and regulations;

(4) enhanced migration of heavy metals;



4. Changes in the requirements of mechanical properties:

(1) prohibit toys from being firmly attached to food;

(2) toys sold with food must be individually packed and must be prevented from swallowing or inhaling, and must be marked with warning statements;

(3) the maximum pulse and continuous noise emitted by a vocal toy can not damage children's hearing;



5. The strengthening of health requirements:

(1) toys must meet the requirements of hygiene and cleanlinessTo avoid any disease, contamination and risk of infection.

(2) toys designed and manufactured for children under 36 months must be clean.

Changes in the CE logo requirements:

The CE logo is changed from original requirements to toys or packaging, and must always be visible.



Changes in warning signs:

1. Strengthen the rules applicable to warning signs: it must be at the point of sale, including the Internet store, to show accurate, significant, clearly clear and readable warning signs;

2, when warning signs are used to conflict with the intention of using toys, do not label these warning signs;

3, warning words can be printed on toys. Fixed on toy labels or toy packaging, if appropriate, should also be printed on the instruction manual;

4, if the toy is not packaged for sale because of its size.The warning must be fixed on the toy.