Toy safety under the microscope: what do the new EU regulations change and what does it mean for parents?
When buying a toy for a child, we want one thing: joy, safety, and support for their development. However, it increasingly turns out that a seemingly innocent toy, purchased with the best of intentions, may contain harmful substances or fail to meet basic safety standards. That's why, in November 2025, the European Union introduced a comprehensive modernization of toy regulations, driven by the need to better protect children, especially in the face of growing online commerce and new discoveries about harmful chemicals.
In this article, we explain what exactly is changing, why these regulations were necessary, and how new solutions – including the Digital Product Passport – are intended to actually protect children and make it easier for parents to choose safe toys.
Toys among the most frequently reported dangerous products in the EU
Even though the EU has some of the strictest toy safety rules in the world, unsafe products still end up in the hands of children. Data from 2024 shows that toys took second place among the most frequently reported dangerous non-food consumer products in the EU, responsible for 15% of all reports [1] As recently as 2022, they were still at the top of this infamous list.
What is particularly disturbing is that in almost half of the cases the risk to the child resulted from the chemical composition of the toys — something that a parent cannot assess with the naked eye [1].
Online sales and imports from outside the EU are a new challenge for child safety.
Since the adoption of the previous directive in 2009 (2009/48/EC), the toy market has changed significantly. A particular challenge has become the rapid development of online shopping and import of products from outside the European UnionIn 2023, the value of toy imports to the EU amounted to €6,5 billion, of which as much as 80% came from ChinaThe new regulations are intended to limit the influx of dangerous toys, especially when sold online.
A new era of toy safety regulation: from directive to regulation
As already mentioned, the existing rules were based on the 2009 Directive (2009/48/EC), which allowed Member States to have certain different interpretations.
Expert advises
The new regulation ensures uniform and consistent application of security regulations across the EU single market. This is a key change that aims to tighten the system.
Clean Fun – Expanding the List of Banned Chemicals in Toys
CMR SUBSTANCES AND ENDOCRINE CHEMICALS
The new regulations extend the existing ban on the use of CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction) substances to other chemicals deemed particularly harmful. The use of substances that disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system has been banned (endocrine). This is extremely important because early exposure to these substances can have serious, long-term health consequences.
A firm "NO" TO PFAS AND BISPHENOLAS
Introduced prohibition of intentional use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called "eternal chemicals"which are practically non-degradable and accumulate in human bodies. The use of the most dangerous types of bisphenols, except where their presence is technically unavoidable (e.g. traces resulting from the production process) and does not pose a safety risk.
Expert advises
The expansion of bans on CMRs, PFAS, bisphenols and endocrine disrupting substances is a step public health experts have been waiting for for years because it covers areas that parents are unable to verify on their own.
RESPIRATORY AND SKIN PROTECTION
The new regulations also prohibit the use of substances harmful to the respiratory system and chemicals toxic to the skin and other organs.
STOP BIOCIDE
The regulation introduces prohibition of deliberately treating toys with biocides (substances for the control of undesirable organisms), with the exception of toys intended for permanent outdoor use.
Special protection for the youngest and noise reduction
In order to protect the most vulnerable children, the Regulation tightens the requirements for toys intended for children under 3 years old or toys that a child can put in their mouth. In these products the use of allergenic fragrances is prohibited (fragrance allergens). The use of preservatives in toys has also been limited.
Limiting noise emitted by toys
The noise standards for toys have been changed. Maximum values for impulsive and continuous noise were established to protect children's hearing. A requirement was introduced that this noise should not exceed lower exposure action values specified in Directive 2003/10/EC, which concerns hearing protection in an occupational context (Lower Exposure Action Value): ~80 dB(A)) [2].
Comprehensive Risk Assessment: From Chemicals to Mental Health
Toy manufacturers must comply comprehensive safety assessment toys before placing a product on the EU market. The safety assessment must cover all aspects:
- chemical,
- physical,
- mechanical,
- electric,
- combustibility,
- hygiene,
- radioactivity.
In terms of chemical hazards, manufacturers must take into account known additional risks resulting from total (cumulative) exposure to various chemicals present in toys. This obligation is intended to increase children's protection from exposure to a wide range of chemicals from various sources.
New digital challenges: Toy safety in everyday use
Risk assessment should take into account the particular vulnerability of children. digital toys it is also necessary preventing potential threats to a child's mental healthIn addition, other EU regulations require that connected toys meet high standards. cybersecurity standards resulting from EU regulations.
Digital Product Passport (DPP): A new standard of transparency
All toys sold in the EU will have to have Digital Product Passport (DPP)This tool improves the traceability of toys and confirms their compliance with relevant safety standards. DPP will provide consumers better and easier access to key security information and any warnings. Instead of general declarations, parents gain access to specific information: the product's origin, the materials used, and confirmation of safety tests. This shifts the burden from marketing promises to facts – and that's exactly what many parents expect today.
The manufacturer will be obliged to prepare a digital product passport for each specific toy model and to store it – together with full technical documentation – for a period 10 years from the date the toy is placed on the marketThis passport must clearly refer to the product in question and enable its identification.
Access to the Digital Product Passport will be provided e.g. via QR code placed on the toy packaging.
How will DPP facilitate inspections and recalls of unsafe products?
The introduction of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is crucial for risk minimization throughout the supply chain. The new tool is intended to improve traceability toys, which will make it easier product control by customs and market surveillance authorities. As a result, it will be possible prevent more effectively introducing unsafe toys into the European Union market. Furthermore, toys that do not meet established safety standards will be classified as "illegal content" under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The ultimate goal is reducing the number of dangerous products sold in the EU to better protect children's health.
Expert advises
From the perspective of consumer safety, the Digital Product Passport is particularly important, as it will increase the identification of toys, facilitate control and a quick response to threats.
Toys purchased online - new obligations for online stores and sales platforms
The new regulations aim to reduce the number of unsafe toys entering the EU market, particularly through online purchases. Marketplaces will be required to organize their websites so that sellers can display:
- CE marking
Guarantees compliance with EU safety, health and environmental protection standards, as well as safety warnings.
More information about CE marking and other toy safety criteria you will find in our separate article, in which we explain step by step what to pay attention to when buying a toy to make sure it is safe for your child.
- Safety Warnings
The new regulations clearly emphasize that a manufacturer's responsibility does not end with the toy's composition. It becomes equally important How product safety is communicated to parents. Safety warnings will need to be clearly marked, legible, and easy to see. – even on small packages. This is a step towards truly supporting parents in making informed purchasing decisions, without the need to "decipher" the information on the packaging.
- Link to the Digital Product Passport.
Responsibilities of manufacturers, importers, and sellers. Who is responsible for toy safety on the EU market?
The new regulations introduce and specify reinforced requirements for all economic operators – manufacturers, importers, distributors, and online platforms selling toys. If any new hazards related to a toy emerge, manufacturers must take corrective action immediately and notify consumers and market surveillance authorities.
The new regulations also strengthen law enforcement. The introduction of the DPP will make it easier for customs and market surveillance authorities. product control entering the EU, which is intended to prevent dangerous toys from entering the market.
Importantly, the Regulation gives the European Commission the power to take action and withdrawal of toys from the marketif they appear new, previously unknown threats related to a given toy.
Safer Toys: When will the new regulations come into force?
Approved November 2025 Rozporządzenie Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (EU) 2025/2509 is the world's most rigorous set of rules aimed at ensuring children's safe play and development.
Expert advises
Implementing such extensive changes takes time. Therefore, Member States and economic operators (manufacturers, importers, and distributors) will receive 4,5-year transition period for full implementation and adaptation to the new requirements. This means that for a certain period of time, manufacturers will be able to plan and adapt to the new, more stringent standards. The new regulations will begin to apply from August 1, 2030, although some related tasks, e.g. notification of conformity assessment bodies, come into force as of 1 January 2026. The ultimate effectiveness of these provisions will depend on their consistent enforcement, especially with regard to imports from outside the EU and sales platforms
Summary – safer toys are an investment in your child's health
The new toy safety regulation is a clear signal that protecting the health of children has become one of the priorities of the European Union.
As Marion Walsmann, rapporteur for the European Parliament, emphasized, the new regulations are a benefit for both consumers and producers, as well as for children's future. Playing with toys has a chance to remain what it should be – a safe and carefree part of growing up.
Bibliography (access to internet sources from 29.12.2025/XNUMX/XNUMX):
1. European Parliament. Toy safety: Parliament adopts new rules to enhance child health protection. (News, 25-11-2025): https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20251120IPR31494/toy-safety-parliament-adopts-new-rules-to-enhance-child-health-protection?utm_source=chatgpt.com
2. DIRECTIVE 2003/10/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 6 February 2003 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise), OJ L 42, 15.2.2003, p. 38
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2003L0010:20081211:PL:PDF
3. Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2025 on the safety of toys and repealing Directive 2009/48/EC: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202502509
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