The European Union has agreed on new rules to tighten safety regulations for toys, including a ban on hazardous chemicals that can disrupt growth hormones and harm fertility. The measures aim to better protect children from the risks associated with these substances.
The European Union has agreed on new rules to tighten safety regulations for toys, including a ban on hazardous chemicals that can disrupt growth hormones and harm fertility. The measures aim to better protect children from the risks associated with these substances.
The use of hazardous chemicals in toys has been a long-standing concern for parents and regulatory agencies.
Phthalates, lead, and cadmium are among the most common toxic substances found in children's products.
According to a 2020 report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 20% of tested toys contained high levels of phthalates.
The European Chemicals Agency has also identified over 100 hazardous chemicals used in toy production.
Exposure to these toxins can lead to serious health issues, including cancer, reproductive problems, and neurological damage.
Under the new regulations, the use of PFAS (‘per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’), a group of synthetic chemicals known for their durability and health risks, is banned in toys, except in electronic components that are out of reach of children. Repeated exposure to PFAS has been linked to liver damage, high cholesterol levels, reduced immune response, low birth weight, and various types of cancer.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are chemicals used in the production of some children's toys.
These substances have been linked to various health concerns, including cancer and reproductive issues.
Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS can lead to increased risk of thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and immune system suppression.
In 2019, a report by the Environmental Working Group found that 71% of tested products contained at least one type of PFAS.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has established guidelines for safe levels of PFAS in children's products.
The regulations also expand existing bans on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and toxic for reproduction chemicals (CMRs) to include other hazardous substances like hormone disruptors. These chemicals are linked to increasingly common hormone-related disorders, often later in life, such as impaired sperm quality. The European Commission emphasized that these chemicals are particularly harmful for children, as they could interfere with their hormones, cognitive development, or impact their overall health.
Children are susceptible to various health risks due to their developing immune systems and increased exposure to environmental factors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), childhood illnesses such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
In developed countries, common health concerns include obesity, asthma, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Vaccinations play a crucial role in preventing infectious diseases, while healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can mitigate the risk of chronic conditions.
The new rules also address the risks associated with toys sold online. Under the regulations, importers will have to submit a digital product passport – a kind of safety fact sheet that contains safety compliance information and warnings – to customs at the EU borders. This will make it easier for national inspectors and customs officers to control the flow of safe toys into the market.
The European Union’s toy safety rules are already among the world’s strictest, but the new regulations aim to keep pace with emerging risks. Marion Walsmann, a German European Parliament member who led the legislation through the bloc legislature, noted that one in five products pulled from the EU market for safety concerns is a toy. The new Toy Safety Regulation sends a clear message: protecting children, ensuring fair competition, and supporting Europe as a business hub.
The regulations will kick in once they are formally approved by the European Parliament and EU governments. Krzysztof Paszyk, Poland’s technology minister, emphasized the importance of these new rules, stating that ‘EU toy safety rules are among the world’s strictest, but we must keep pace with emerging risks.‘
