NEW TOY SAFETY DIRECTIVE ENFORCEABLE JULY 2011 – THE LABORATORY AT BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE CAN HELP

Forthcoming changes to toy safety legislation will impact on many organisations.  The new European Toy Safety Directive, enforceable from July 2011 has widened the definition of toys to  “products designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age”.  This will embrace more products than it did previously and impose more rigid regulation, including the restriction of 19 chemical elements as opposed to the current 8.  The existing BS: EN – 71-3 testing standard is therefore being modified to ensure compliance to the new regulations.

The change in legislation has been driven by  the emergence of new scientific evidence as to potential dangers to health, innovative new types of toys being introduced and a massive increase in the volume of toys being imported from outside the EU.  The new Directive is detailed and lengthy but inevitably there are grey areas, which will impact on organisations working in the Toy industry.  For example Childrens’ fashion jewellery items are specifically deemed NOT to be toys, but fancy dress outfits and accessories are covered by the legislation.

The new Toy Directive does not affect the requirement that all items must comply with the existing General Product Safety Directive, which defines a safe product as one that “presents minimal or no risk when used in a foreseeable way.”  The Laboratory will be working closely with the BTHA (British Toy & Hobby Association) in 2010 to understand the implications of the new legislation and be sure it can offer customers the advice and testing services that they require in order to comply.

THE BIRMINGHAM ASSAY OFFICE ELECTED MEMBER
OF THE BRITISH TOY AND HOBBY ASSOCIATION

The British Toy and Hobby Association has welcomed The Birmingham Assay Office as A member, adding to its list of over 140 companies, most of whom are Toy Manufacturers.  Account Manager for The Laboratory Tim Smith sees this as a very positive move. “In the absence of any specific legislation for children’s jewellery, many of our long established customers are now using recognised  toy  standards  such as BS EN 71-3 as an indicator that items are “safe”. “ says Tim. “The BTHA are very on the ball in supporting the interests of their members and getting involved with the new legislation, and changes to testing methods as they develop.  We expect our membership to be mutually beneficial to both parties and we look forward to working closely with the BTHA.”