Toys
A "Toy" is any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children of less than 14 years of age. For example, dolls, teddy bears, marbles, pencils, train sets.
Toys should be a happy and creative outlet for children. Read more
For the purpose of the toys directive, some products that may be thought as toys are not regarded as so:
Christmas decorations,
Detailed scale models for adult collectors,
Equipment intended to be used collectively in playgrounds,
Sports equipment,
Aquatic equipment intended to be used in deep water,
Folk dolls and decorative dolls and other similar articles for adult collectors,
’Professional’ toys installed in public places (shopping centers, stations, etc.),
Puzzles with (...) Read more
In order to prevent risks, the Toys Directive gives some obligations to producers, distributors and Member States.
For example, producers must:
Give information on risks to consumers. The objective is to enable consumers to assess risks and to take precautions, thereby reducing risk
Identify themselves (with the name or trademark) in connection with the purchase of the product. The objective is to enable them to be informed of risks and to give consumers and others a point of (...) Read more
Before being marketed, toys must be provided with a CE conformity marking which
• symbolises their conformity with the provisions of the Directives;
• consists of a unique seal or design, namely the CE seal;
• is affixed by the manufacturer or his authorized representative established in the Community.
CE stands for Conformité Européenne, French for European conformity.
Without the CE Marking, and without complying with the provisions of the Directive, the product may not be placed on the (...) Read more
The procedures for assessing the conformity of toys with the essential requirements were based on the modular approach set out in Council Decision 93/465/EEC. Decision 93/465/EEC was repealed by Decision No 768/2008/EC on a common framework for the marketing of products.
The toy conformity assessment must be carried out by:
• organisations designated by the Member States on the basis of common evaluation criteria, and notified to the Commission and the other Member States;
• or by the (...) Read more
There are a number of other risks that toys can present to children. This section gives you further information and examples of these risks. Read more
Minimising the risk of burning Read more
Minimising the risk of ingestion and inhalation Read more
If your child has a toy that needs to be plugged into the mains electric to be charged up, always ensure that this is done by an adult and not by the child itself. And remember that the child should also be fully supervised while using the toy.
© European Union, 2010 Reproduction of DOLCETA is authorised provided the source is acknowledged http://www.dolceta.eu Read more
Minimising the risk of infection or contamination Read more
A product’s safety characteristics also depends on the consumers behaviour when playing with it.
So here is some advice to help ensure a safer play experience:
Always supervise children and teach them how to use toys safely Promptly remove and discard all toy packaging such as plastic bags and plastic wrap, foam, staples and ties - these can suffocate or choke a child Check toys often for hazards like loose parts, broken pieces or sharp edges, and repair or discard any weak or broken (...) Read more
