Directive 2009/48/EC TOY safety
Export and trade of toys in EU countries
The most important criterion when choosing toys is their Safety for children. That is why European market surveillance authorities most often check toys, which is reflected in the weekly reports of the RAPEX system. Before releasing toys to the European market, a conformity assessment procedure must be carried out for compliance with the requirements of Directive 2009/48/EC. According to this document, all products related to toys are subject to mandatory conformity assessment.
About Directive 2009/48/EC
The Directive of 18 June 2009 was adopted with the aim of protecting the health of children when handling toys, as well as unifying toy safety standards and eliminating obstacles to trade in toys between EU Member States.
The document sets out the basic requirements for toys, including requirements for safety, their physical and mechanical properties, flammability, chemical composition, electrical characteristics, hygiene and radioactivity.
Scope
The Directive applies to products designed or intended to be used as toys by children aged 0 to 14. Similarly, Directive 2009/48/EC contains an extensive list of products that are not covered by it.
Requirements of Directive 2009/48/EC
EU Member States are obliged to ensure that toys placed on the European market are safe for children's health and meet the essential safety requirements:
- toys, including the chemical substances in their composition, must not endanger the safety and health of children and third parties when used as intended, taking into account the behaviour of children;
- the marking and instructions accompanying toys must draw the attention of children or those supervising them to the dangers and risks that may arise during the use of toys and to the methods of preventing them;
- toys placed on the market must comply with the essential safety requirements during their intended period of use.
Before placing a toy on the market, manufacturers must conduct a product conformity assessment, analyze chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical sources of danger, assess its hygiene, flammability and radioactivity, as well as assess the range of people who may be exposed to these threats.
The presence of the CE marking confirms that the product has passed the assessment of conformity with the requirements of the Directive and is safe for the consumer. However, the presence of the marking does not eliminate the need to undergo a conformity assessment procedure!
Conformity assessment
The conformity assessment procedure includes the following mandatory items:
- to test the product in accordance with harmonised standards. It is therefore important to choose the right standards and determine the indicators for which the toy needs to be tested;
- to prepare a package of technical documentation;
- to draw up a declaration of conformity;
- to affix the CE marking, warning information and signs.
The declaration of conformity, as well as all technical documentation, must be kept by the manufacturer for 10 years from the date the toy has been placed on the market.
Rules and conditions of application CE marking
CE marking mandatory for all products entering the European market and subject to EU Directives. The CE mark is a conformity mark that indicates that the product complies with the requirements of Directive 2009/48/EC and does not pose a hazard when used as intended, and has also passed the certification procedure.
The CE marking must be clear, legible and indelible on the body of the toy, the label or the packaging. In the case of small toys and toys consisting of small parts, the marking may be affixed to the label or accompanying instructions.
If the conformity marking is not visible from the outside of the packaging, if any, it must at least be affixed to the packaging.
CE marking must be affixed before the toy is placed on the market. It may be accompanied by various pictograms and other symbols indicating the possible risks when using the toy.
In the event of non-compliance with the requirements of the Directive, the EU Member State must take appropriate measures to restrict or prohibit the toy from being placed on the market or ensure that the toy is recalled or withdrawn from the market.
WARNINGS
Warning signs and information
The directive requires that the product be accompanied by warning information indicating the hazards it may pose. This information may include the minimum or maximum age of the user and, where appropriate, the user's abilities, the maximum or minimum weight of the user and the need to ensure that the toy is used only under adult supervision. As well as the risks of suffocation, allergenic materials, small parts that can be choked on, etc.
Such warning information must stand out from the rest of the text on the toy, label, instructions and packaging. And must be accompanied by the words ‘Warning’ or ‘Warnings’.
Our services
Our specialists have many years of experience in the field of certification and issuing European certificates. We have solutions for most of the tasks that arise in the certification process.
Using an individual approach to each client, we will select the best option for you, taking into account the specifics of your enterprise. In order for the procedure for issuing a European certificate to go according to plan and within the desired time frame, our specialists will conduct detailed consultations and provide answers to all questions of interest.
We provide the following certification services:
- consultation on all issues related to product certification;
- selection of the relevant standard(s) for your product;
- assistance in compiling a technical file for the products being manufactured;
- conclusion of an agreement for an authorized representative of your company in the EU, if necessary;
- testing of products of any complexity in testing laboratories in Ukraine and Europe;
- verification and assistance in creating a factory control system;
- support in auditing your production by auditors of the European certification body;
- preparation of a declaration of conformity;
- full support of the CE certification procedure with the issuance of certificates.
Working with us, you communicate directly with professionals of the European level. This ensures the fastest possible issuance of the certificate, without overpayment for mediation.
The cost of our services is determined individually depending on the specifics of the product, the terms required for issuing the certificate, and the documentation available to the customer.