Rules and Standards
The Toy Safety Directive
The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC lays down the safety criteria that toys must meet before they can be marketed in the EU.
The text of the legislation, guidance, standards and other useful links are available on the European Commission’s website:
- Legislation: for further information, please click here
- Guidance: for further information, please click here
A TIE summary of all amendments to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC is available here.
The European Commission published a review of the Toy Safety Directive in the summer of 2023. Changes concern especially the part on chemical requirements and the introduction of a Digital Product Passport for toys.
The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD)
The General Product Safety Directive (GPSD) 2001/95 complements specific sectoral legislation.The General Product Safety Regulation will replace the current Directive as of 13 December 2024.
More information is available on the website of the European Commission:
The REACH regulation on chemicals and their safe use
The REACH Regulation 1907/2006 is the European Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force in 2007, replacing the former legislative framework for chemicals in the EU.
More information is available on the:
- European Commission’s website: REACH (europa.eu)
- European Chemical Agency’s website
The RoHS Directive on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
The Directive 2011/65/EU sets the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (recast). More information is available here.
Legislation on food contact materials
Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 provides a harmonised legal EU framework. It sets out the general principles of safety and inertness for all Food Contact Materials (FCMs). More information is available here.
The Cosmetic Products Regulation for toys that are or contain cosmetics
Regulation (EC) N° 1223/2009 on cosmetic products is the main regulatory framework for finished cosmetic products when placed on the EU market. More information is available here.
The Regulation 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP)
In the EU, the classification and labelling of hazardous chemicals is governed by Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (the ‘CLP Regulation‘).
More information is available on the:
- European Commission’s website: Classification and labelling (CLP/GHS) (europa.eu)
- European Chemical Agency’s website
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive)
The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive 2014/30/EU ensures that electrical and electronic equipment does not generate, or is not affected by, electromagnetic disturbance. More information is available here.
Low voltage Directive
The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 2014/35/EU ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits provides a high level of protection for European citizens, and benefits fully from the Single Market. More information is available here.