Toys and games are important for child development. They are also important for the EU economy as the toy industry provides over 50,000 jobs. Most of these jobs are in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The EU aims to ensure that the 80 million children in Europe have safe toys to play with.
See more facts and figures on the competitiveness of the toy industry in this study (1 MB) from 2013.
The EU lays down toy safety rules and provides guidance to help manufacturers, distributors and importers apply these rules. The main objectives are:
Compared to the 1988 Toy Safety Directive, the 2009 Toy Safety Directive strengthens provisions on safety requirements to ensure children continue to benefit from a level of protection that is among the highest in the world. More on toy safety.
Manufacturers, importers and distributors have to follow certain rules to be able to place toys on the EU market. More on placing toys on the EU market.
Harmonised standards play an important role in ensuring toys marketed in the EU comply with the safety rules. More on harmonised standards on toys.
The EU engages in several international dialogues on toys. More on international aspects.
