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In order to ensure a high level of safety of toys for the EU markets, revision of the Toy Safety+ m2 d; x$ N' |% M- o
Directive 88/378/EEC has been adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008.8 U: P3 r5 {% F% _9 x
Publication of the revised directive on the Official Journal is expected in first quarter of 2009.9 T! _5 M% K, t3 H! i- f
The revision shall replace the current 20 years old toy safety directive that does not adequately
+ k6 E& b ^& l* O; a1 ~1 {1 F E6 gdeal with the risks and dangers of newly toy designs.( u: n" D% G. ?3 ~
Provisions have been laid down for obligation of manufacturers, importers and retailers of toys,! Q7 i0 l. Y0 U" m
while the essential safety requirements of toys have much more related to the chemical properties7 F1 @: {) }* V6 f) h w% }; w ~
and labeling of toys.
2 b* X/ |# k. q2 {- W3 gObligation of toy manufacturers:; i' q& B4 ~* @4 V" b, ]! `
a. To ensure their toys have been designed and manufactured) o* }) L) G7 x& o' z& f
in accordance with the essential safety requirements;
. v; m9 `$ ?3 ^! y [b. To draw up a complete product file for each toy and to carry2 s7 A W7 S- f% X) M) c n! S
out conformity assessment prior to marketing of toy;
. r, M- L4 D7 G( V# F) _c. To draw up an EC declaration of conformity based on the- P9 X! F( i% Y7 ?/ n* o) z
assessment procedure and affix the CE marking;
- q9 J9 b1 P- D( ^3 N- P+ md. To have unique identification by type, batch or serial or model number or any other3 Q$ G( _8 R; V) v
element on the toy or packaging or document accompany the toy;
1 L4 `8 }% g3 L4 w8 ze. To accompany toy by appropriate safety warnings and instructions in a language or
) K. [6 P+ ?2 slanguages easily understood by consumers;
5 i. c& N) ?) ?, w. V& l, af. To keep the technical documentation and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of/ H( P9 P: M2 M; ]& A
ten years after a toy has been placed on the EU market (This also applies to the
& {& X6 j3 {- i" dauthorized representatives and importers of toys);
% d. m+ `, H* f7 d- |) ^3 |g. To indicate their name, registered trade name/mark and address on the toy or packaging or" w5 K3 c' l$ ]) v$ G; P( w
document accompanying the toy (This also applies to the authorized representatives and
- `! K3 N& g3 \# ^! {8 Gimporters of toys).- }4 {5 A+ ?7 \. J9 q6 B& \& ^
Essential safety requirements of toys have been amended with following additions:
8 D9 x8 O' ~+ d3 e- |a. Where appropriate, toys shall bear warning label that specify appropriate user limitation.
& M- E4 r& F* D6 ~+ a8 }* u; N- a2 PHowever, warnings that contradict the intended use of the toy are prohibited, e.g. label
3 P7 R, q( L' clikes "Warning: Not for use by children under three years of age" on infant toys (e.g.2 M* c& L* U) Y d" x( M
rattle) will not be allowed;
9 _% o7 p4 L8 [3 _) l$ _' d& mb. A toy intended for children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such
, {- m' x$ V: a6 \) ta way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall be washable, except if it contains a
' ^8 \7 x4 C$ t$ E3 v- `mechanism that may be damaged if soak washed;
1 x0 u6 { V0 L5 J3 `, X# Xc. Toys attached to a food product that must be consumed in order to get direct access to the4 M, i8 Z2 `* H. ?3 e5 n7 m. n7 \+ C" v& N6 ~
toy shall be prohibited, whereas toys contained within food or mixed with a food product8 c8 h! \' z3 g6 F' t, c2 j" B
must have their own packaging;
1 J3 x" g2 `/ Z, P- jd. Substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction/ ~4 G ~( u- {6 ?: L
(CMRs), category 1A, 1B or 2 (except for nickel in stainless steel) shall not be used in, r+ O( X2 I/ X( Y( P
toys or toy components; |
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