EP wants stronger EU rules to protect children

MEPs want to strengthen current rules and market surveillance to ensure that all toys sold on the EU market, including from non-EU countries and online, are safe.

Parliament stresses that, while the Toy Safety Directive (TSD) provides children with a high level of safety, some manufacturers from non-EU countries selling their products on the single market, especially online, do not comply with EU legislation. As a result, many toys sold in the EU still pose a significant threat.

In a report approved by 688 votes to six, with one abstention, MEPs call on the Commission and member states to step up measures to ensure that all toys placed on the EU market comply with the TSD, regardless of where they are manufactured.

Toys that are placed on the EU market must comply with specific EU rules on chemicals, Parliament recalls. The Commission should ensure that endocrine disruptors are banned in toys. Parliament calls on EU member states to coordinate their market surveillance activities and to improve controls to detect unsafe toys more effectively. 

“The current Directive is a good step forward for the safety of children, yet we think several problems remain. Among them, is the emergence of scientific evidence identifying previously unknown toxic chemical substances and risks, and the high number of dangerous toys circulating on online marketplaces. As a result, we are calling for a revision of the EU rules,“ Rapporteur Brando Benifei (S&D, IT) said.