EU Toy Safety: Mitigate Mechanical Risks

China,as the worlds largest toy manufacturing and exporting country,its toy products have a significant influence in the European market.However,in recent years,the EU Safety Gate system has frequently reported risks of toy products,especially mechanical and physical risks,which undoubtedly poses huge challenges totoy enterprises.

I.Overview of mechanical and physical risks of toys exported to the EU

Mechanical and physical risks mainly include two categories: suffocation and mechanical injury.

Suffocation risk: Suffocation is one of the most common mechanical and physical risks.

Swallowing - type suffocation: It is mainly caused by small parts on toys,such as detachable parts on toys or the toy itself being too small in size.Children may accidentally ingest or swallow them while playing,blocking the respiratory tract and thus generating a suffocation risk.

Respiratory - obstruction - type suffocation: For example,the plastic packaging bags of toys or toy boxes,helmets,masks,etc.lack proper ventilation devices,which may cause children to have difficulty breathing during play and generate a suffocation risk.

Mechanical injury: This type of risk mainly includes stabbing,pinching,crushing,and entanglement risks.For example,sharp edges,tips,and protruding parts on toys may cause children to get injured; improper design of parts such as the folding mechanism or rigid round holes of toys may cause pinching; unreasonable design of large - scale toys or outdoor toys may cause children to fall or be crushed; ropes and threads on toys that are too long or too strong may cause children to be entangled.

II.Main regulatory standards related to mechanical and physical risks of toys exported to the EU

Toy Safety Directive: The main regulation for EU toy safety is 2009/48/EC,which stipulates the concept and scope of toys,the responsibilities of economic practitioners,technical documents,declarations of conformity,safety assessment and conformity assessment procedures,as well as new technical requirements.

EN71-1 Standard: This is the harmonized standard for toys formulated by the EU.The current mechanical and physical assessment standard is EN 71 - 1 - 2014+A1 - 2018.This standard stipulates the specific requirements and methods for the detection of toy mechanical and physical properties.

III.Countermeasures

Keep informed of the EUs safety requirements for toy mechanical and physical properties in a timely manner: Quality management personnel of manufacturers should timely and fully understand the EUs safety requirements for toy mechanical and physical properties and ensure that toy products meet the mechanical and physical safety requirements.

2.Pay attention to the updates of regulations and standards: Enterprises should take the initiative to understand technical and trade early - warning information,establish an early - warning system,and keep informed of the announcements issued by the security door system in a timely manner.

3.Strengthen communication with suppliers: Based on a good understanding of the content of EU mechanical and physical safety regulations and standards,conduct professional communication with suppliers to ensure product quality.