This article provides an introduction to the Toys Directive.
OFFICIAL TITLECouncil Directive 88/378/EEC of 3 May 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the safety of toys.
AMENDMENTS TO THIS DIRECTIVE
OBLIGATION SINCE
The Safety of Toys Directive is obligatory since 1 January 1990.
SCOPE OF THE SAFETY OF TOYS DIRECTIVE
This directive applies to toys. A 'toy' means any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children of less than 14 years of age.
Examples of products that fall under the scope of this directive are dolls, teddy bears, marbles, pencils, etc.
EXCLUDED FROM THE SCOPE OF THE DIRECTIVEProducts not regarded as toys for the purpose of this directive:
- Christmas decorations;
- Detailed scale models for adult collectors;
- Equipment intended to be used collectively in playgrounds;
- Sports equipment;
- Aquatic equipment intended to be used in deep water;
- Folk dolls and decorative dolls and other similar articles for adult collectors;
- 'Professional' toys installed in public places (shopping centers,
- stations, etc.);
- Puzzles with more than 500 pieces or without picture, intended for specialists;
- Air guns and air pistols;
- Fireworks, including percussion caps (With the exception of
- percussion caps specifically designed for use in toys without
- prejudice to more stringent provisions already existing in certain Member States);
- Slings and catapults;
- Sets of darts with metallic points;
- Electric ovens, irons or other functional products operated at a
- nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts;
- Products containing heating elements intended for use under the supervision of an adult in a teaching context;
- Vehicles with combustion engines;
- Toy steam engines;
- Bicycles designed for sport or for travel on the public highway;
- Video toys that can be connected to a video screen, operated at a nominal voltage exceeding 24 volts;
- Babies' dummies;
- Faithful reproductions of real fire arms;
- Fashion jewelry for children.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE SAFETY OF TOYS DIRECTIVE
- Essential safety requirements for toys;
- Physical and mechanical properties;
- Flammability;
- Chemical properties;
- Electrical properties;
- Hygiene;
- Radioactivity.
MAIN OBJECTIVEThe main objective of the Safety of Toys Directives is the protection of the health and safety of children, and thus to prevent, as far as possible, the placing on the market and putting into service of unsafe or otherwise non-compliant toys.
CONFORMITY MARKING
Conformity with the Safety of Toys Directive is indicated with the CE Marking, which is a mandatory marking for products falling within the scope of this Directive. CE stands for Conformité Européenne, French for European conformity.
Without the CE Marking, and without complying with the provisions of the Directive, the product may not be placed on the market or put into service in the European countries that form the European Economic Area (the EEA consists of the fifteen member states of the EU and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.) However, if the product meets the provisions of the applicable European Directives these countries may not prohibit, restrict or impede the placing on the market or putting into service of the product. Thus, the CE Marking can be regarded as a product's trade passport for Europe.
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