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In order to ensure a high level of safety of toys for the EU markets, revision of the Toy Safety
4 W3 Y# z2 F8 s* W1 v+ b: f" a% \0 e$ \Directive 88/378/EEC has been adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008.9 k* K+ O8 _* f" L$ m
Publication of the revised directive on the Official Journal is expected in first quarter of 2009.+ E; P1 B* k) t n1 `- y
The revision shall replace the current 20 years old toy safety directive that does not adequately* j6 n- W' H4 S" s' A s
deal with the risks and dangers of newly toy designs.* D n4 u* ^. d1 t" {( j) S
Provisions have been laid down for obligation of manufacturers, importers and retailers of toys,
7 C! o' R# F5 s- f8 bwhile the essential safety requirements of toys have much more related to the chemical properties
2 Q8 }# \7 m( R+ {, X# T4 t( _and labeling of toys.( ]- W$ f9 Q$ J2 ~! f2 R6 U
Obligation of toy manufacturers:) [/ r) a% q7 d C) ^, \
a. To ensure their toys have been designed and manufactured, C9 P$ P- |8 o# S. j/ z
in accordance with the essential safety requirements;3 T) a, n- @: t& Z5 F! ?3 j" f2 B
b. To draw up a complete product file for each toy and to carry
, @3 @+ |# S3 z& |# [out conformity assessment prior to marketing of toy;; W9 h' K% [' y0 G# J
c. To draw up an EC declaration of conformity based on the
# z' J3 P4 J) p5 B' H7 _& gassessment procedure and affix the CE marking;% ~5 @5 F3 e! S' N: {: M
d. To have unique identification by type, batch or serial or model number or any other
! }9 y& Q7 V* U# i0 u! helement on the toy or packaging or document accompany the toy;5 a4 @% ?: W2 K9 {/ U
e. To accompany toy by appropriate safety warnings and instructions in a language or
( P; ^2 Y( V0 c6 G P8 r+ M; A4 `languages easily understood by consumers;$ Z' |; \8 f% U0 q! g4 a6 ^
f. To keep the technical documentation and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of0 x6 ~0 C& s" U0 F
ten years after a toy has been placed on the EU market (This also applies to the$ a0 B: t" h' t6 R+ O% S
authorized representatives and importers of toys);$ d1 N; W, r" P) n
g. To indicate their name, registered trade name/mark and address on the toy or packaging or1 d9 I% C+ B4 G9 G
document accompanying the toy (This also applies to the authorized representatives and
3 @2 t5 h6 ]/ O. I/ {importers of toys).
1 O) O& r0 h2 w6 S" eEssential safety requirements of toys have been amended with following additions:! e9 D# y% s- ]6 G- U) u
a. Where appropriate, toys shall bear warning label that specify appropriate user limitation.
) B- A( P: [2 z( U! DHowever, warnings that contradict the intended use of the toy are prohibited, e.g. label6 z9 H& j5 Q3 @
likes "Warning: Not for use by children under three years of age" on infant toys (e.g.
& ?3 J2 j9 u8 ?/ m/ X F" A9 Mrattle) will not be allowed;" e) ?& T9 i' Z% i6 z" L
b. A toy intended for children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such: ?2 ^% c+ \+ @" r' C
a way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall be washable, except if it contains a6 d3 M" t! F* s- y
mechanism that may be damaged if soak washed;
& Y6 L/ N) \) Sc. Toys attached to a food product that must be consumed in order to get direct access to the* {1 }% R8 D0 m9 d, O4 f5 y
toy shall be prohibited, whereas toys contained within food or mixed with a food product) u! |) F! g* |: Y" j/ R4 P/ [
must have their own packaging;
Z7 x; \4 ^' t6 v& E0 Hd. Substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction' x& X8 T$ Z. K: Z
(CMRs), category 1A, 1B or 2 (except for nickel in stainless steel) shall not be used in n( d& q) o N+ L3 y
toys or toy components; |
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