New standards for toys can't spoil Xmas
Posted, November 06, 2008 @ 14:00
Brussels, 6th November 2008 -- Toys sold in the EU will have to meet enhanced safety standards if a report on Toy safety, adopted unanimously by the Internal Market Committee today, is supported by the Parliament. The report has been welcomed by Malcolm Harbour MEP, Conservative internal market spokesman, as it successfully balances child safety and new test requirements, while ensuring that responsible producers are encouraged to make interesting new toys.
The revised standards are needed to address the challenges posed by technological advancements in toy design and manufacturing over recent years. Included in the proposals are greater clarification on the 'general safety requirement' - the legal basis for taking dangerous toys out of the market, limits on chemicals used in toys and a safety assessment for the hazards that a toy may present.
Conservatives were successful in defeating several amendments tabled by Labour and Socialist MEPs that would have taken toy standards way beyond other household items that children use every day. They also resisted attempts for onerous and unnecessary bureaucratic requirements. These amendments would have seen many toys taken off the market and could even have forced several toy companies, such as British small businesses, out of business.
Mr Harbour said:
"The new proposals significantly enhance toy safety for children and will not limit the choice of well designed, safe toys by overly restrictive standards. It was important for us that we did not burden responsible producers, who have comprehensive quality and safety procedures, with unnecessary red tape.
"We have managed to secure a package that satisfies the interests of parents, children and business."