The current European Toys Directive 88/378/EEC of 1988 will soon be replaced by improved and strengthened rules aimed at enhancing the safety of toys put on the European market.

To ensure that children can enjoy playing with toys without risks, the new Directive will incorporate the newest health and safety standards, improve the effectiveness and enforcement of the legal framework and will strengthen the responsibilities of manufacturers and importers for the marketing of toys.

The proposal will, in particular:

1. Prohibit the use of chemical substances that are susceptible to provoke cancer.

2. Reduce the allowed limits of certain dangerous chemical substances like lead or mercury.

3. Prohibit allergenic fragrances.

4. Oblige toy manufacturers to issue appropriate warnings to improve the prevention of accidents.

5. Strengthen the rules that prevent accidents due to small parts in toys.

6. Ban toys which are firmly attached to a food product at the moment of consumption and which require food to be consumed before getting access to the toy.

7. Require toy manufacturers to establish comprehensive technical information for all their toys to allow authorities to check the design and manufacture of the toy.

8. Foresee testing of toys through independent laboratories where no testing standards for such toys yet exist (e.g. for toys with magnets).

9. Reinforce the importer's responsibility for ensuring that toys imported into the EU are safe.

10. Enhance the visibility of the CE mark on the toy.

11. Strengthen market surveillance activities, spot-checks and border controls.