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In order to ensure a high level of safety of toys for the EU markets, revision of the Toy Safety5 l" I8 c/ w. W7 v
Directive 88/378/EEC has been adopted by the European Parliament on 18 December 2008.2 L! h/ I* Y: {; g1 R8 b
Publication of the revised directive on the Official Journal is expected in first quarter of 2009.5 V2 e# P& q. _) m4 P7 c# d
The revision shall replace the current 20 years old toy safety directive that does not adequately) K3 T6 C* L3 b; T, _. |
deal with the risks and dangers of newly toy designs.
5 k2 f N2 V3 F* e: bProvisions have been laid down for obligation of manufacturers, importers and retailers of toys,( x" c" D2 f0 I0 r
while the essential safety requirements of toys have much more related to the chemical properties
5 h. ~/ v4 I0 H: \and labeling of toys./ a! t) {* E0 L/ i# A# R& i
Obligation of toy manufacturers:8 O1 C5 k6 b: z# I: Q$ N
a. To ensure their toys have been designed and manufactured1 d3 r: t9 B7 Z' r) x7 }9 M
in accordance with the essential safety requirements;
/ W7 {4 q6 {, |8 e; a" yb. To draw up a complete product file for each toy and to carry
6 S1 B: c8 q2 sout conformity assessment prior to marketing of toy;
( b/ q1 v8 n" A3 m- V E, P& e/ ?% }c. To draw up an EC declaration of conformity based on the+ U- |7 r/ G+ z. Y0 [4 j' |
assessment procedure and affix the CE marking;
/ b! u3 Z9 |5 v; ~, i, Q, ?d. To have unique identification by type, batch or serial or model number or any other0 \* |. Z; L; h9 M$ W, E* P2 Z
element on the toy or packaging or document accompany the toy;
% [, |0 L, k) s' K- ge. To accompany toy by appropriate safety warnings and instructions in a language or
2 y, r) E2 s4 w2 N5 G* }& Olanguages easily understood by consumers;
) B& S8 T) z$ a8 g: l: B2 ]1 A ]f. To keep the technical documentation and the EC declaration of conformity for a period of
( v3 G1 M e' i6 |ten years after a toy has been placed on the EU market (This also applies to the
: [$ m& h4 e/ V5 z6 y3 mauthorized representatives and importers of toys);
, }/ R0 i! o: D m; ~0 P+ ^g. To indicate their name, registered trade name/mark and address on the toy or packaging or
N7 Y8 i- Z* S+ K! @document accompanying the toy (This also applies to the authorized representatives and( c; z+ m1 g/ B: Z
importers of toys).% \8 _" R- W6 L/ P+ I0 v3 o+ }
Essential safety requirements of toys have been amended with following additions:: l5 m+ \5 W& h! Z6 ]5 N) A4 R
a. Where appropriate, toys shall bear warning label that specify appropriate user limitation." v, z$ N" ~- @. t; w% T: O
However, warnings that contradict the intended use of the toy are prohibited, e.g. label$ ~, t% f# t; J
likes "Warning: Not for use by children under three years of age" on infant toys (e.g.
, y6 [8 j% u2 D9 grattle) will not be allowed;! T2 Q, c, R5 Y9 D l
b. A toy intended for children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such9 `& ^9 D3 e) x4 }/ K+ n4 B! f( J4 z L
a way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall be washable, except if it contains a0 o) k8 G0 e: i$ S/ [% T- c" Y) k
mechanism that may be damaged if soak washed;7 a& I- k8 J! w, _& z% B) K9 s
c. Toys attached to a food product that must be consumed in order to get direct access to the5 x" q6 }6 w$ ?' W6 `
toy shall be prohibited, whereas toys contained within food or mixed with a food product4 g1 U3 A% t1 P* }" X
must have their own packaging;
/ N2 \4 T) O/ |d. Substances that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction5 A m7 u6 Z( q2 }0 j/ Q
(CMRs), category 1A, 1B or 2 (except for nickel in stainless steel) shall not be used in
% f9 k' V9 N- A* E6 }toys or toy components; |
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