The supply of toys
What goods are covered?
A toy is an item designed or clearly intended for use in play by a child under the age of 14. There are some items which are excluded, including Christmas decorations, sports equipment, jewellery and collectors items.
Anything that is classed as a toy is required to comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 and it is an offence to supply toys that do not comply. The penalty for not complying is a fine of up to £5000 or up to six months in prison or both.
What are the requirements of the regulations?
All toys that are supplied must satisfy the essential safety requirements. This means that toys must not pose hazards such as the following:
- choking hazard
- flammability hazard
- suffocation
- chemical hazard
- strangulation
- entrapment of fingers etc.
The list is not exhaustive but the regulations do allow for warnings and instructions to be given where that hazard is necessary for the function of the toy, for example in chemistry sets.
What does that mean in practical terms?
The following is a list of examples of how the regulations may affect particular toys:
- eyes on soft cuddly toys should not come off
- the folding mechanisms on items such as toy pushchairs should not harm small hands when folded
- there should not be excessive amounts of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium in crayons or the paint on toys
- there should not be unnecessary sharp points or edges or splinters of wood
- there should not be small parts on toys intended for the under threes
What labelling requirements are there?
All toys must bear the CE mark and the name and address of the manufacturer or importer into the European Union. They should also bear any warnings necessary for their safe use, such as the need for parental guidance or the unsuitability for certain age groups.
Is there anything else to bear in mind?
You should not supply non-food items which resemble food if a child could confuse them with food and in trying to eat them could injure or kill themselves.
If you are unsure about the safety of a particular toy you should contact us.
This page was last updated on 10 November 2011
