European Parliament (EP) headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: Europa.eu)
The new rules, part of a revised EU toy safety regulation , would send a message that safety “cannot be left to chance,” according to a bill submitted by German lawmaker Marion Walsmann. The rules would ban the intentional use of PFAS, along with the most dangerous forms of bisphenols (chemical additives used to make hard plastics and non-stick plastics).
Before products can be placed on the market, manufacturers will have to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment for chemical, physical, mechanical and electrical risks. The transition period is designed to give businesses time to adjust their production processes. The EU hopes the tightening of regulations will reduce the number of dangerous toys through strict enforcement and more effective customs controls.
Under the new rules, all toys must carry a clearly visible “digital product passport” certifying that they meet all safety standards. This is one of several measures designed to accommodate the growth of e-commerce, including goods from outside the EU.
MEP Marion Walsmann said the new rules, with clear guidelines and appropriate transitional provisions, would help companies plan responsible production while ensuring children play safely. The new rules are the result of an agreement reached in April between the EP, the European Commission and the Member States, which updates the 2009 toy safety directive.
PFAS are a group of highly persistent, water-repellent and non-stick chemicals that have been widely used in industry since the mid-20th century. However, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), this group of substances regularly pollutes water and soil, and is increasingly being tightened globally due to risks to the environment and human health.
VNA
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