Brussels: A new Toy Safety Regulation will enter into force on 1 January 2026, following its adoption by the European Parliament and the Council. The regulation aims to enhance children's protection from harmful chemicals in toys and improve enforcement of EU toy safety rules, as announced by the Directorate-General for Internal Market of the EU on the EU official website.
According to Cyprus News Agency, under the regulation, substances will be banned from toys as soon as they are identified as hazardous. This includes chemicals that disrupt hormones, harm the lungs, cause skin allergies, or damage specific organs. The ban also extends to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and bisphenols. The new rules further strengthen the existing ban on substances that can cause cancer, genetic damage, or harm reproduction, known as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic substances.
Enforcement will see enhancements through digital tools. All toys placed on the EU market will be required to carry a digital product passport containing safety and compliance information. This information will be accessible to consumers online via a QR code or other data carrier. For toys sold online and imported into the EU, customs authorities will have the ability to check the product passport.
The new rules will be applicable starting 1 August 2030.