Toys

The law requires that toys must be safe so that consumers are protected against injury from their use bearing in mind the normal behaviour of children.

A Toy is defined as: "any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by a child of less than 14 years of age".

Hazards to look for:

• Ensure the toy does not have any sharp edges or points, wood splinters or accessible sharp mechanisms.
• Ensure the toy does not have small parts that are loose or could be pulled or bitten off as these could present a choking hazard for young children. Toys that have small parts and are not suitable for children under 3 must carry an age suitability and hazard warning.
• Ensure that toys that fold, have hinges or involve moving and static parts are not made in such a way that fingers can be trapped.
• Ensure that paints and painted toys do not contain toxic chemicals in excess of permitted levels.

Labelling

All toys that you supply in the course of a business must be marked with:

• the name and address of the manufacturer or importer.
• the CE mark which is a declaration by the manufacturer or importer that the toy is safe.

These marks must be on the toy or it's packaging and be permanent and easy to read.

On small toys these marks may be on:

• a label attached to the toy.
• an accompanying leaflet.
• an associated display box.

Warnings and Instructions

Some toys must come with warnings and instructions about precautions that need to be taken for safe use, these include:

• toys that are not suitable for children under 3 and the reason why, e.g. choking hazard.
• details required for correct assembly and use e.g. swings and slides.
• those which require adult supervision or only to be used by children over a certain age.
• toys such as skateboards or skates which require protective equipment.
• toys for use in the water such as inflatable rings.

Second-Hand Toys

Toys that are second-hand do not need to be CE marked but still need to be up to legal standards. We would therefore advise that traders only sell second hand toys which are CE marked, contain any relevant instructions or warnings and have been checked for any obvious faults.

Guidance on the regulations can be found at www.dti.gov.uk/access/toys/intro.htm.

Please Note

This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. For further information please contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards office.

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
Telephone: (0151) 691 8020    Fax: (0151) 691 8098
Internet World Wide Web http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/wirral/
Electronic Mail: tradingstandards@wirral.gov.uk