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In order to ensure a high level of safety of toys for the EU markets, revision of the Toy Safety
5 l, n; [9 J/ i' U) E, l Q0 W& TDirective 88/378/EEC has been adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008.
0 Q1 D1 [' s2 l W& t9 s' ]Publication of the revised directive on the Official Journal is expected in first quarter of 2009.
7 a/ _! J' i7 Z6 u* T* ?- l6 Y, o" RThe revision shall replace the current 20 years old toy safety directive that does not adequately
1 B1 l4 r g+ m2 W m+ {: m+ Adeal with the risks and dangers of newly toy designs.
# J9 w! b# J/ i! ~Provisions have been laid down for obligation of manufacturers, importers and retailers of toys,8 y% C7 V. \, Z8 q W5 E/ C
while the essential safety requirements of toys have much more related to the chemical properties) `3 L+ a9 G5 K6 K/ x4 F7 {/ Q
and labeling of toys.
1 o# X9 O) E4 Q% j$ F2 v" DObligation of toy manufacturers: M) Y* [" {8 r5 n
a. To ensure their toys have been designed and manufactured! P( V9 M" K% x$ ^# o
in accordance with the essential safety requirements;% f2 V' `! }8 F4 i2 |
b. To draw up a complete product file for each toy and to carry/ _+ H, B* Y* S" F: o" w# |7 A
out conformity assessment prior to marketing of toy;: K5 S/ p: @ p+ H9 W
c. To draw up an EC declaration of conformity based on the& L) W- u9 ^/ C% N
assessment procedure and affix the CE marking;" w( L7 k# J, j0 f/ g! h
d. To have unique identification by type, batch or serial or model number or any other2 ]0 w1 E' t. J2 g5 F
element on the toy or packaging or document accompany the toy;/ _/ e L* g. @2 _6 C4 x9 v; @3 D
e. To accompany toy by appropriate safety warnings and instructions in a language or' l* X7 I. P; P8 W6 @# ~. j
languages easily understood by consumers; x* p: t+ {# B" X, g- U6 |) w7 W* L
f. To keep the technical documentation and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of
6 V- r# ~9 V1 A+ s) X+ ~ten years after a toy has been placed on the EU market (This also applies to the
* S- Q& i Y- [) j& ^/ M$ Zauthorized representatives and importers of toys);: w2 S, |$ T- ` n M4 L1 L
g. To indicate their name, registered trade name/mark and address on the toy or packaging or
6 r: k3 M( K5 ydocument accompanying the toy (This also applies to the authorized representatives and" F4 I5 X+ M7 A; m& [2 S1 ?/ F+ ~ n
importers of toys).
. b" \; T# z E2 ~ v1 F- i7 f7 d5 PEssential safety requirements of toys have been amended with following additions:7 R$ J9 r0 R& @
a. Where appropriate, toys shall bear warning label that specify appropriate user limitation.* h0 x% F8 W9 ]5 L" B! {8 M! J% a
However, warnings that contradict the intended use of the toy are prohibited, e.g. label# p3 m, s5 K$ T; s
likes "Warning: Not for use by children under three years of age" on infant toys (e.g.
* ]4 A/ U* G0 \* Urattle) will not be allowed;9 ~7 w0 C" _; B0 m7 _
b. A toy intended for children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such
: |+ L9 u5 S$ `9 [a way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall be washable, except if it contains a9 E/ C, y3 I) W
mechanism that may be damaged if soak washed;
0 [ S8 U( _+ Q, Q6 t, F4 w& kc. Toys attached to a food product that must be consumed in order to get direct access to the
* z: n6 `0 z8 V+ mtoy shall be prohibited, whereas toys contained within food or mixed with a food product
8 K/ h+ q; E) V9 a, n; vmust have their own packaging;
- z2 P# ^% B; V; A/ [1 Z6 D od. Substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction& ]- a5 T- D7 m
(CMRs), category 1A, 1B or 2 (except for nickel in stainless steel) shall not be used in
7 l* e' \# V1 |" ~toys or toy components; |
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