Following the meeting on November 25, 2025, the European Parliament adopted its final position on the new Toy Safety Regulation, which was confirmed with 44 votes in favor and 2 against.
This Regulation introduces new rules aimed at enhancing the protection of children's health and development, while repealing Directive 2009/48/EC, which regulated the applicable rules on toy safety.
- Why was reform necessary? Eliminating discrepancies between UE countries
As a result of the increase in online shopping and the use of digital technologies, the transition from a directive to a regulation on toy safety is one of the most important changes to the legal framework. The new Regulation applies directly in all Member States, eliminating the need for national transpositions and, implicitly, the differences that led to situations where a toy could be considered compliant in one Member State but non-compliant in another.
This uniformization will ensure a high level of predictability regarding the conformity of a toy in all EU Member States and a consistent application of the rules for all economic operators.
- Main changes introduced by the Regulation
One of the central aspects of the Regulation is the introduction of additional restrictions on chemicals used in the manufacture of toys, in particular those intended for use by children under 3 years of age.
This includes, among other things:
- a general restriction on the use of allergenic fragrances in toys designed for children under 3 years of age and toys designed to be mouthed;
- additional restrictions on certain chemicals with potential impacts on the neurological or endocrine development of children.
The main change introduced by the Regulation is the requirement that all toys placed on the market must be accompanied by a digital passport, accessible via a QR code or similar methods.
The digital passport will facilitate:
- customs checks and market controls;
- consumer access to relevant safety information;
- product traceability throughout the supply chain.
The digital passport will be drawn up by manufacturers and will include information such as: manufacturer details, materials used, conformity test results, mandatory markings, recall procedures, and any safety updates.
If any importer or distributor puts a toy on the market under their name or brand, or modifies a toy that has already been put on the market in a way that could affect its compliance with the applicable requirements of the Regulation, they will be required to make a digital passport.
The Regulation also lays down stricter requirements whereby manufacturers will be required to carry out more comprehensive safety tests covering chemical, physical, mechanical, and electrical risks.
The purpose of these tests is to reduce risks to users, and the documentation of these tests will be part of the information included in the toy's digital passport.
The adoption of the Regulation was also significantly influenced by the evolution of the way shopping is done today, predominantly online, and Directive 2009/48/EC has failed to keep pace with this evolution.
Thus, economic operators selling toys through online platforms will be subject to new obligations, which will require the adaptation of technical systems to allow the following:
- visible display of safety warnings;
- display of the CE label;
- access to the digital passport before purchase.
- Entry into force and transition period
The regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Effective application is planned after a transition period of four and a half years, during which time industrial processes, digital infrastructure, and control mechanisms will be adapted.