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In order to ensure a high level of safety of toys for the EU markets, revision of the Toy Safety
0 J$ H4 G8 Y0 _8 [9 d ?6 b* BDirective 88/378/EEC has been adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008.
3 |* v. I8 f/ k! H+ Y9 P$ ZPublication of the revised directive on the Official Journal is expected in first quarter of 2009.
" i- w% \3 H+ s( T, {The revision shall replace the current 20 years old toy safety directive that does not adequately! M! \) z, s, Y" T2 J
deal with the risks and dangers of newly toy designs.: n& v5 p7 E, X1 k5 o1 J! h1 T& \
Provisions have been laid down for obligation of manufacturers, importers and retailers of toys,
x$ b8 X- S$ a6 }while the essential safety requirements of toys have much more related to the chemical properties2 X# l4 N3 k3 U7 c0 m0 l
and labeling of toys.
) \: _- J7 S5 W fObligation of toy manufacturers:- {9 N5 {% k2 r0 Z0 W) b: i- a
a. To ensure their toys have been designed and manufactured
/ h1 N# I3 L+ G m# h. jin accordance with the essential safety requirements;; e$ F' i9 W) Y* O4 |9 g, U K
b. To draw up a complete product file for each toy and to carry: H# o# ]( b/ e* @1 h0 H
out conformity assessment prior to marketing of toy;
! `) T6 `& Q" Z3 q! wc. To draw up an EC declaration of conformity based on the
, n1 A. Q+ Y; X( R5 lassessment procedure and affix the CE marking;$ \$ n$ s. E& X" Q9 u* r2 n
d. To have unique identification by type, batch or serial or model number or any other' u6 M& I9 [( ^% m% q
element on the toy or packaging or document accompany the toy;
5 z2 l0 M6 I M2 M: oe. To accompany toy by appropriate safety warnings and instructions in a language or
: M# `# N. M- u1 Dlanguages easily understood by consumers;
$ ~4 }* D9 a% B, @6 Gf. To keep the technical documentation and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of
* W4 W$ x4 A( D2 M- [ten years after a toy has been placed on the EU market (This also applies to the
0 J0 y4 A B" y3 m$ X% uauthorized representatives and importers of toys);
( m _ P: x5 g+ wg. To indicate their name, registered trade name/mark and address on the toy or packaging or
& q% X8 z2 v6 Q4 }8 O8 \document accompanying the toy (This also applies to the authorized representatives and2 u& R! Y8 y3 E# E
importers of toys).. Y/ D+ K. @. v; _: K& ]7 C
Essential safety requirements of toys have been amended with following additions: ]$ |6 u/ ?# P1 h! ?# e
a. Where appropriate, toys shall bear warning label that specify appropriate user limitation.
: \9 |! p3 q' xHowever, warnings that contradict the intended use of the toy are prohibited, e.g. label2 ~7 O7 z% ` t- i t
likes "Warning: Not for use by children under three years of age" on infant toys (e.g., @9 F9 Y& s* v9 |8 y
rattle) will not be allowed;- T0 w/ J- H0 K* r, S* V
b. A toy intended for children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such! n3 G! @+ {( W
a way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall be washable, except if it contains a
' i3 k/ D" V0 @ N: Q# M! H) r6 X: h Fmechanism that may be damaged if soak washed;
6 w: L7 `& n/ ^) Tc. Toys attached to a food product that must be consumed in order to get direct access to the
: X; n. }! }- Y$ X) vtoy shall be prohibited, whereas toys contained within food or mixed with a food product
! G% @6 b* q5 e9 rmust have their own packaging;1 d$ a" v2 }5 S- Q9 Q5 O( p9 r
d. Substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction+ d* T2 H4 l5 g( M4 h$ A
(CMRs), category 1A, 1B or 2 (except for nickel in stainless steel) shall not be used in
! B$ g# m; L5 E, E' itoys or toy components; |
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