Tech Watch: Closer to a new framework for safer toys

In April 2025, the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the new EU toy safety rules, aimed at enhancing the protection of children’s health and development.

The aim is to update the safety requirements for toys and adapt to new challenges, including online sales and emerging health concerns such as endocrine disruptors, thereby ensuring high levels of child safety.

In June 2025, the EU Council approved the final draft version. The Parliament will have to endorse the text in plenary (document ST 10091 2025 INIT). The main changes are (non-exhaustive):

• The scope will apply to all toys marketed in the EU, regardless of origin, and include catapults and slings. It also lists products that are not considered toys, such as reading and educational books intended for children over 3 years and without play value, among others.
• New chemical safety requirements such as strengthening the generic ban on hazardous chemicals to include, besides CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction), endocrine disruptors, respiratory and skin sensitisers, and organ toxicity substances. Prohibiting the presence of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) and Bisphenols, within other new chemical requirements.
• Cybersecurity requirements for digital elements of the toy.
• Introduction of the Digital Product Passport.
• New responsibilities of economic operators.

This Regulation will repeal Directive 2009/48/EC (TSD) on the first day of the month following 54 months after its date of entry into force. Member States shall not impede the making available on the market of toys which were placed on the market in conformity with Directive 2009/48/EC more than 54 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation.

EC type-examination certificates issued in accordance with Article 20 of Directive 2009/48/EC shall remain valid until the first day of the month following 60 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation, unless they expire before that date.

For further information about this upcoming proposed Toy Safety Regulation, download our white paper ‘The future of toy safety in the EU: What businesses need to know about the proposed Toy Safety Regulation’ here.