Ministry of Customs Publishes New Toy Safety Directive
A new toy safety directive has been announced. Under the directive issued by the Ministry of Customs, toys will be subject to stricter inspections.
With the new directive, toys will now face detailed inspections. Toys that pose a risk to children's health will no longer be allowed on the market. The Ministry will recall toys it finds unsafe, and restrictions are being introduced for Chinese-made toys.
During manufacturing, producer records must be kept on file for 10 years. The new toy safety directive also sets out restrictions on Chinese-made toys. It states that importers must verify that the manufacturer has completed the required conformity assessment before a toy reaches the market, that the manufacturer has prepared the toy-specific technical file, that the product carries the CE marking and is supplied with the required documents, and that the manufacturer has confirmed the toy meets applicable requirements.
When used as intended or in a foreseeable way, taking into account typical child behavior, toys must not endanger the health or safety of the user or third parties. Chemical substances contained in toys fall within this scope.
Key Changes in the Toy Directive Under CE Marking
- The new directive introduces restrictions on mutagenic, carcinogenic, and reproductive-toxic substances.
- 11 heavy metals including copper, zinc, tin, boron, and nickel, plus 55 allergenic fragrances, will fall under banned or restricted use. In pastel, dry, and water-based paints, the heavy-metal ban expands from 8 to 19 metals.
- Toys must be designed so they cannot be pushed into a child's nose, ear, or windpipe.
- For hygiene reasons, toys for children under 3 must be designed and manufactured so they can be cleaned properly.
- Sound-producing toys must be manufactured so that peak-impulse and continuous sound levels do not cause hearing damage in children.
- The new requirements also cover cots, strollers, high chairs, baby walkers, and stationery items used by infants and children.
