Thanks to new rules adopted in November 2025, EU children can expect their toys to be free from hazardous substances and harmful chemicals as of 2030. Toys will have to respect stricter noise limits, and the manufacturer will have to assess the impact of connected toys on children's mental health. The bloc is also boosting toy's traceability and market surveillance with the introduction of Digital Product Passports.    

Why it's important

Consumers expect products on the Single Market to be safe. This is especially relevant for toys, as children are particularly vulnerable. Whereas they deserve the highest level of protection, our members’ research shows that many toys still contain harmful chemicals1 or are unsafe. Year after year, toys feature among the three most notified product categories on the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous products.  

What BEUC did

BEUC has long advocated for an overhaul of toy safety rules, with its contributions on the topic starting in the 1990s.  

BEUC advocated for a strong Toy Safety Regulation covering issues like levels of harmful substances in toys, such as lead, or endocrine disruptors2. With stricter limits on substances that may cause cancer (CMR substances), skin sensitisation – a world's first –, or harm reproductive health, manufacturers will have to ensure new toys cannot harm little ones.  

Toys could sometimes be as loud as a landing plane. Thanks to BEUC and ANEC's (working on standardisation) recommendations and input, new noise limits will prevent hearing loss or impairment based on existing limits for adults.  

Some connected toys may impact children's mental well-being with consequences ranging to sleep loss to eye issues. BEUC pushed for the extension of safety requirement to children's psychological and mental health which resulted in mandatory safety assessments on new connected toys.  

Consumers and authority will benefit from improved product traceability with the new Digital Product Passport, which replaces the declaration of conformity. Accessed through QR-code or data carrier, it will enable immediate access to safety and compliance data.

BEUC also helped secure that the legislation enshrines the precautionary principle as its main ground. This means that when issues arise, decision-makers can act rather than letting the problem persist even with uncertain scientific evidence.  

Timeline

1988 - Toy Safety Directive 

2009 - Updated Toy Safety Directive 

2018 - BEUC's work on Toy Safety with the European Commission's evaluation 

2020 - EU Commission announces reform of EU toy safety rules in the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (REACH) 

2023 - Commission presents draft Toy Safety Regulation

2025 - Institutional deal on the updated Toy Safety Regulation (November)

~ 2026 - Entry into force

2030 - Entry into application