DG Growth Seeks CEN/CENELEC Aid on Toys

A March 11 draft DG Growth memo signals an upcoming request for CEN and CENELEC to work on toy safety harmonization issues that fall under their purview. The call is for the organizations to identify relevant areas in the Toy Safety Directive and to come up with work plans.

The impetus for the move is a desire to update the EU toy rules in reaction to scientific and technological advances. Also involved is toy market evolutions, especially increases in emerging product types.

The agency says absence of injury data in an area should not be seen as an absence of risk. It writes, " New properties of newly developed toys may not be adequately covered by existing toy safety standards and such standards might therefore have to be adapted or new standards be developed."

Priority work would be updates of existing harmonized standards. Although the CEN and CENELEC attention would be on electrical or related fire and mechanical issues, the broader focus is on all elements of EU toy rules. The draft memo specifically mentions developments related to "physics, mechanics, chemistry including fire chemistry, electricity, hygiene and radioactivity."

Harmonization involves adaption of member states' rules under the directive. See the draft memo at bit.ly/1R6z5KQ.