MEPS back tougher toy safety standards

MEPs today backed tougher EU-wide safety standards for toys, including a ban on toxic chemicals and stricter standards to limit the risk of choking accidents.

After a unanimous committee vote in Brussels, Labour MEP Arlene McCarthy commented: "This is a key step in our campaign to raise safety standards and protect our children from dangerous and toxic toy imports.

"Our current toy safety law is 20 years old and does not deal with the new risks and threats. In particular it does not tackle the risks with imported toys, bearing in mind that 95% of UK toys and 80% of toys EU-wide are imported from China."

The proposed new measures, which now need the backing of the full European Parliament and government ministers, follow a series of safety scares last year in which thousands of toys had to be taken off the shelves.

Reports of toxic chemicals in paint and loose fittings which could be swallowed triggered the effective use of the EU's rapid recall system several times in 2007.

National authorities, in co-ordination with the European Commission, operated a system of mutual alert in which a potentially dangerous toy discovered in the shops in one member state is removed from the shelves in all 27 countries.

However, Ms McCarthy said the recall system must not replace strict initial monitoring of the quality of toys on sale, to catch defects and potential safety hazards before articles are approved for retail.

"Recalls must be a last resort. This new law needs to set tough standards to ensure dangerous toys never make it on to the shop shelves.

"Last year we had a number of toy safety scares and toxic toy headlines, first in the US and then in Europe. Parents need to be vigilant and only buy from legitimate traders to ensure their children's toys are safe."

Conservative MEP Malcolm Harbour said: "The new proposals significantly enhance toy safety for children and will not limit the choice of well designed, safe toys by overly restrictive standards. It was important for us that we did not burden responsible producers - who have comprehensive quality and safety procedures - with unnecessary red tape."

Mr Harbour added: "We have managed to secure a package that satisfies the interests of parents, children and business."

MEPs backed a report setting out minimum new safety requirements for all toys marketed in the EU.

The report says toys - defined as products designed for use in play by children under 14 - must meet consumers' health concerns.

That now means banning the use of some potentially-dangerous allergenic fragrances, and setting new standards for the sale of toys which are marketed with food, and could pose a choking risk.

The proposed rules also ban the use of any carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic chemicals unless passed as safe by EU scientists.

Tighter toy quality surveillance would involve more detailed documentation which toy manufacturers and importers have to keep available for inspection. The paperwork would have to include descriptions of the design and manufacture of the toy, its components and materials, and an analysis of potential hazards.

Consumers' group BEUC tonight said it feared the proposed restrictions on dangerous substances was not tough enough, with some allergenic fragrances still allowed in some toys.

"Toy safety in Europe can still be further improved" said BEUC Director-General Monique Goyens.

"The priority must now be to impose independent third-party testing for some toys, including the most potentially dangerous ones and those intended for the youngest children".