Newsroom
The EU is giving its toy safety rules a major makeover, and parents might breathe a little easier because of it.
Even though Europe already has some of the world’s strictest toy standards, unsafe products still slip through, especially with the explosion of online shopping and mountains of imports from outside the bloc. Last year alone, the EU brought in €6.5 billion worth of toys, about 80% of them from China.
With toys ranking as the second most frequently flagged dangerous product in Europe’s alert system, EU lawmakers decided it was time for a reboot.
A fresh crackdown on harmful chemicals
The new rules expand existing bans to cover even more chemicals that can harm kids, including endocrine disruptors, skin sensitizers, and substances that irritate the lungs or other organs.
And in a big win for health advocates, the EU is banning the intentional use of PFAS, the infamous “forever chemicals,” along with some of the worst bisphenols. Allergenic fragrances will soon be banned too, especially in toys for toddlers or anything meant to go into their mouths.
More safety checks before toys hit the shelves
Manufacturers will now have to run fuller, tougher safety assessments, checking everything from choking hazards to flammability, hygiene, electrical issues, and even radioactivity.
For digital toys, there’s a new twist: companies must prove they don’t pose risks to a child’s mental health. Yes, the EU is officially looking at the “mind” part of playtime.
Say hello to digital toy passports
One of the biggest changes is the introduction of a digital product passport, basically a scannable code (think QR) on every toy.
Customs officers will be able to pull up safety info instantly, which should help stop dodgy imports long before they reach a toy box. Parents will also be able to scan the code and see warnings and compliance details without digging through tiny print or missing leaflets.
Online marketplaces can’t look the other way anymore
Platforms like Amazon and Temu will have stricter responsibilities. They’ll need to make sure sellers show CE markings, warnings, and the toy’s digital passport. Under EU digital rules, unsafe toys will count as “illegal content,” meaning platforms have to remove them.
Manufacturers and distributors will also face clearer obligations, from using simpler warning language to reporting risks immediately.
“A win for everyone”
Marion Walsmann, the MEP steering the file, said the message is simple: toy safety shouldn’t come down to luck. With modern rules and a long transition period of 4.5 years, she said companies get clarity, and kids get safer toys.
The new regulation will officially kick in 20 days after it’s published.
