The Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011
Information for Distributors
The new Toy (Safety) Regulations 2011 came into force in August 2011. They strengthen provisions on enforcement and detail new safety requirements such as toys attached to food, washing instructions and for parts that could choke children. Warnings now have to be more visible and easy to understand.
Safety requirements and standards must keep up to date with the latest toy trends along with the development of new materials and manufacturing processes to ensure children benefit from the highest levels of protection.
Toy manufacturers, importers and distributors all have obligations under these new regulations and must ensure that they are taking all the necessary steps to protect children from the risk of injury caused by unsafe toys.
SAFETY
Toys must satisfy the following particular safety requirements as set out in Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive, so far as relevant.
· physical & mechanical properties
· flammability
· chemical properties
· electrical properties
· hygiene
· radioactivity.
LABELLING
All toys which you supply in the course of a business must be marked with:
· the CE mark - the CE mark is a declaration by the manufacturer or importer that the toy is safe. These marks must be on the toy or its packaging, be permanent and easy to read. On small toys these marks may be on a label attached to the toy, an accompanying leaflet or an associated display box.
· the name and address of the manufacturer or importer. (Must be full contact address a website address is not enough)
· product Number (type, batch, serial or model)
WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS (Annex V, Part B)
· Warnings that affect the decision to purchase must be visible at point of sale e.g. any minimum/maximum age or any user limitations i.e. maximum width or height. In addition, specific warnings for certain categories of toys are required.
· All warnings must be preceded by the word “Warning”.
TOYS NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY CHILDREN UNDER 36 MONTHS
Shall be marked “Not suitable for children under 36 months” or “Not suitable for children under three years” or the following graphic
and a brief indication of the risk. e.g. “Long Cord. Strangulation Hazard’ or ‘Small Ball. Choking hazard”.
ACTIVITY TOYS
· Shall be marked “Only for domestic use”. This must be accompanied by instructions indicating the need for maintenance and assembly and that the toy may fall/overturn if maintenance is not carried out.
FUNCTIONAL TOYS
· Toys or packaging shall be marked “To be used under the direct supervision of an adult”. Also to be accompanied by directions and precautions.
CHEMICAL TOYS
· Shall bear a warning of the dangerous nature of the toy and of the precautions and first aid. Chemical toys shall also bear “Not suitable for children under (X) years. For use under adult supervision”.
SKATES, ROLLER SKATES, ONLINE SKATES, SKATEBOARDS, SCOOTERS AND TOY BICYCLES FOR CHILDREN
· Must be marked “Protective equipment should be worn. Not to be used in traffic”. Also to be accompanied with a reminder that the toy should be used with caution.
AQUATIC TOYS
· Must be marked “Only to be used in water in which the child is within its depth and under adult supervision”.
TOYS IN FOOD
· Shall be marked “Toy inside. Adult supervision recommended”.
IMITATIONS OF PROTECTIVE MASKS AND HELMETS
· Shall be marked “This toy does not provide protection”.
TOYS INTENDED TO BE STRUNG ACROSS A CRADLE, COT OR PERAMBULATOR BY MEANS OF STRINGS, CORDS, ELASTICS OR STRAPS.
· Shall be marked “To prevent possible injury by entanglement, remove this toy when the child starts trying to get up on its hands and knees in a crawling position”.
PACKAGING FOR FRAGRANCES IN OLFACTORY BOARD GAMES, COSMETIC KITS AND GUSTATIVE GAMES.
· Shall be marked “Contains fragrances that may cause allergies”.
It is not acceptable to affix these warnings on a counter display box. The warnings must be affixed to the toy itself.
Please contact the Environmental Health Department at Newry and Mourne District Council on 028 3031 3100 for further information.