EU proposes strict new toy safety regulations

(CBC) - The European Union is considering a toy safety proposal that would lower allowable limits of lead and mercury, impose stiffer penalties on manufacturers for unsafe toys, and outlaw bundling toy giveaways with food products.

The safe toy proposal, introduced Friday by Enterprise Commissioner Guenther Verheugen, also recommends the following:

- Prohibiting chemicals linked to cancer.
- Banning allergenic fragrances.
- Strengthen legislation to prevent accidents caused by small parts in toys.
- Put more responsibility on importers to ensure safety of toys.
- Introduce penalties for importers and manufacturers for safety violations.

The proposal, which would update 20-year-old toy safety legislation, has now been sent to the European Parliament and the bloc's Council of Ministers for consideration.

Verheugen acknowledged the new standards will create challenges for the toy industry but he noted the health and safety of children is non-negotiable.

"Economic operators are now called to live up to their responsibilities to ensure that children can enjoy playing with toys without risks," Verheugen said in a statement.

Poses challenges, but welcomed

Toy Industries of Europe, a trade group representing companies including LEGO, Mattel and Hasbro, said they welcomed the initiative but noted it also posed several significant challenges.

"We envisage that the new proposal will raise many challenges for the industry, in particular when it comes to the practical implementation of the new rules," the group said in a statement.

"We do, however, welcome the increased efforts to improve the enforcement of the safety rules to ensure that products on the market are safe."

Consumer confidence in the toy industry was shaken in 2007 when a wide range of products, including Thomas the Tank Engine trains and Mattel products, were recalled from the marketplace for exceeding standards on lead content.

Manufacturers used lead as either an agent to soften plastic or to improve durability and colour in paint.

Other products, including Polly Pocket dolls and Batman action figures, were pulled from store shelves after it was discovered the magnet pieces could be pulled off the toys and ingested.