Introduction
The Safety of Toys Directive strengthens EU rules on toy safety. It gives consumers assurance that toys sold in the EU fulfil high safety requirements, especially those relating to the use of chemical substances.
The new legal framework addresses a wide range of issues to ensure that toys do not present any health hazards or risk of injury. It enhances the existing rules for the marketing of toys that are produced in and imported into the EU with a view to reducing toy related accidents and achieving long-term health benefits.
Key issues
The Directive includes an article on the precautionary principle which puts the burden onto manufacturers to prove that a product cannot cause harm, rather than a consumer proving that it did.
Article 39 of the Directive states: "When...Member States take measures as provided for in this Directive...they shall take due account of the precautionary principle."
Implementation
The Safety of Toys Directive was adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008 and by the Council on 18 June 2009.
Member States are required to bring into force the laws necessary to comply with this Directive by 20 January 2011 and must apply the measures with effect from 20 July 2011.
Further information
More information, including the Directive text, can be found on the Commission's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/toys/2008_108_directive.htm
