New European directive on toy safety

A new European directive will come into force on Wednesday 20 July 2011. It will update the current toy safety directive, which is 20 years old.

Notable features of the updated directive include:

• a ban on the use of carcinogenic substances in toys
• limitation of the use of fragrances with a view to avoiding allergies
• a requirement to write clearer instructions and warnings for toys
• a requirement that toys contained within food packets have large enough packaging to prevent them from being swallowed by accident
• ...