Adoption of the EU Toy Safety Regulation by the European Parliament

Brussels, 25 November 2025, Today’s formal adoption of the new EU Toy Safety Regulation by the European Parliament marks an important step in the evolution of product safety legislation. While Europe already has some of the world’s strictest toy safety rules, this update reflects a shift in how those rules are applied and enforced.

Toys produced by reputable manufacturers have always been, and continue to be, safe. These companies—many of them small and family-owned—are committed to protect children, one of the most vulnerable groups of consumers. That commitment has not changed.

The 2009 Toy Safety Directive has long required that manufacturers ensure the safety of their products, including the management of chemical risks. The new Regulation builds on that foundation, strengthening enforcement powers, updating limits for certain substances, and introducing more harmonised rules across all Member States. It’s not a change because toys have become unsafe—it’s a change in how safety is ensured and proven.

We support the goals of the new Regulation, but implementation will be demanding. Complying with new documentation requirements, adapting to a digital product passport system, and responding to updated chemical limits will require significant investment—particularly for SMEs. We urge lawmakers to ensure that supporting legislation remains workable and proportionate, especially for smaller companies.

While these changes may deliver incremental gains in safety, they will do little to address the real problem: rogue traders who continue to ignore existing laws. Many unsafe toys sold by non-EU sellers today enter the EU via online platforms. They already violate the current rules and most of the time no-one within the EU can be held accountable for this. Without stronger market surveillance, increased customs enforcement, and clear accountability for online platforms, the new Regulation risks falling short of its intended impact.

We need a system where all players—especially those making direct sales to consumers online possible—are held to the same high standards. Only then can we protect children, safeguard responsible European businesses, and ensure that the rules serve their purpose.

Director General of Toy Industries of Europe, Catherine Van Reeth said “We call on policymakers to prioritise enforcement over regulation, and to close the loopholes that allow unsafe, illegal toys to undercut reputable businesses. Writing the toughest rules in the world will mean little if they are not enforced.”

Media contact: Anna Dovha / Toy Industries of Europe / anna.dovha@toyindustries.eu