Produktsicherheit von Spielzeug, Verbraucher-Anliegen einbringen
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The best toys for your little ones are durable and resilient. It inspires the imagination and encourages lots of different games: Wooden building blocks are used to build bridges, create animal enclosures and also serve as a doll's lunch.
But time and again, toy recalls unsettle numerous parents who have bought the affected product for their child. These are often imported goods that may comply with the guidelines of the country of manufacture, but do not fulfil the legal requirements of the EU.
Consumers can find out about potentially dangerous consumer products on the European Commission's website. Every week, the European Commission publishes on its website the products that pose a serious risk and are reported as part of its rapid alert system SAFETY GATE. This warning system receives an average of around 10 product warnings about toys per week.
Measures taken by the European Union
Standardised regulations on the essential safety requirements for toys apply in Europe. These stipulate that only toys that fulfil the requirements of this directive may be offered for sale on the European Single Market.
When toys are made available for sale, they must always bear the CE mark. The CE marking is valid throughout Europe. The manufacturer independently affixes this mark to the product and thereby declares that all EU regulations applicable to the product have been complied with. As part of market surveillance, the requirements for toys with regard to technical, structural and chemical safety are randomly monitored. The mechanical, electrical and fire protection properties are of particular importance here. The chemical properties are also regulated and monitored.
The dangers posed to children by toys are manifold and change with age and therefore with the type of play. These include, for example, small parts that can be swallowed by children under the age of 3, strangulation hazards with ropes, fire hazards with costumes and chemical hazards.
Tips for parents
If you follow a few basic rules, you can significantly reduce the risk of buying faulty or contaminated toys.
- Only buy toys that are suitable for your child's age. As expected, toys for small children end up in the mouth more often - manufacturers take this into account
- Ask for advice: Seek advice before buying and contact the manufacturer directly if you suspect harmful substances in a product.
- Do not buy toys at markets, from travelling salesmen or abroad. You will not be able to find out the manufacturer or the ingredients afterwards. Inexpensive toys, especially those from online retailers, may have a low purchase price, but the low costs can often be associated with health risks.
- You can also look out for the GS mark on toys. This mark is a special German mark and may only be used if the safety has been tested by an officially recognised GS test centre.
If you have any questions or comments about warnings, unusual odours or risks of injury, please contact the information centre listed below.
product data sheet, packaging, package insert, link to the offer, if applicable
If you have any questions, please contact the relevant office by e-mail or in writing. Please provide specific details of the product and the place of purchase or offer.