In April 2025, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the proposed Toy Safety Regulation. Among the key changes, we find rules for the EU digital product passport as well as bans and restrictions on more chemicals.
The new Regulation will replace the current Toy Safety Directive.
Bans on hazardous chemicals in toys and safety assessment
In addition to the current ban on substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction (CRM), the updated rules also prohibit:
- Chemicals that pose specific dangers to children. These include endocrine disruptors, substances harmful to the respiratory system, and those toxic to the skin and internal organs.
- Intentional use of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) and the most hazardous types of bisphenols.
- Allergenic fragrances in toys intended for children under 36 months as well as in toys designed to be placed in the mouth.
Before marketing a toy, manufacturers have to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment covering all potential hazards, such as chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical hazards. This evaluation must also include tests for flammability, hygiene, and radioactivity, while specifically considering the vulnerabilities of children.
Digital product passport for toys
All toys sold within the EU will need to include a clearly visible digital product passport (DPP), demonstrating compliance with safety rules. This digital passport will improve toy traceability and strengthen market surveillance. It will also provide consumers with easy access to safety information and warnings, typically through a QR code. The introduction of the digital product passport is particularly important for imported toys, as border control authorities can scan the DDP and access the information linked to it.
The new Regulation also addresses the specificities of online sales. In this sense, the new requirements clarify the obligations of online marketplaces. Among others, online marketplaces have to enable sellers to display the CE mark, safety warnings, and a link to the digital product passport. All this information has to be visible before the purchase.
Next step towards the new Toys Regulation
Before its official publication, the provisional agreement reached between the Council of the EU the European Parliament needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions. The industry will have 4,5 years to implement the new Toy Safety Regulation effectively.
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References:
Council of the EU (2025). Child protection: Council and Parliament strike a deal on a law to make toys safer. Retrieved on 19/05/2025.
European Parliament (2025). Toy safety: deal on new measures to protect children’s health. Retrieved on 19/05/2025.
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