Safety of Toy Products: European Commission and Industry Response
October 2007 (07B-160)
|
In response to concerns regarding the safety of imported consumer products, a number of initiatives are taking place within the European Union including a:
 Recent speech by EU Commissioner Meglena Kunvea announcing
a two-month review of toy safety and highlighting the importance
of enforcement efforts
Joint resolution issued by Members of the European Parliament
on toy safety and calling for a revision to the Toys Directive
Summit held by the British Toy & Hobby Association that
has resulted in a six-point action plan
At Bureau Veritas, we are monitoring these activities closely and will report new developments to you as they occur. |
EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER AND PARLIAMENT TAKE ACTION
EU Consumer Commissioner Announces Plans for a Two-Month Review of Toy Safety
EU Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva outlined the Commission's plans for a two-month review of toy safety and consumer product safety control mechanisms during a speech to the European Parliament in Brussels on 12 September 2007. Commissioner Kunvea underscored the importance of enforcement and issued a strong warning to Member States and companies to "raise their game on enforcement at national and local levels." During her speech, the Commissioner also appealed to MEPs who will vote on market surveillance in the coming months (Review of the New Approach Package) not to support proposals that would weaken the existing regime of consumer product safety surveillance. Commissioner Kuneva stressed that there would be no compromise on consumer safety and stated that "the rules must be applied from the assembly line to the checkout till." Commissioner Kuneva will report back to the College of Commissioners with preliminary conclusions of her review by November.
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1318&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Issue Joint Resolution on Toy Safety and Call for a Revision to the Toys Directive
In adopting a joint resolution on the safety of products, particularly toys, MEPs called on the Commission and the Member States to take all necessary legislative and administrative action to ensure that consumer goods that are marketed within the EU not only comply fully with existing EU standards but also do not put the health and safety of consumers at risk. The resolution was adopted with 660 votes in favour, 18 against, and 7 abstentions.
The House also called on the Commission to present the planned revision of the Toys Directive 88/378//EEC by the end of this year, making sure it includes efficient and effective requirements for product safety. As public health and consumer protection considerations play an important role in the Toys Directive, much clearer provisions are needed to ensure the safety of products and to provide consumers with trust in their safe use.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/expert/infopress_page/063-10648-267-09-39-911-20070823IPR09791-24-09-2007-2007-true/default_en.htm
British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) Summit
On 26 September 2007, the British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) held a summit with ten leading UK toy industry figures to discuss current UK toy safety regulations. Together, the summit members created a six-point action plan designed to further strengthen current safety controls, improve relations with China, and educate consumers in making safe and appropriate purchasing decisions.
1. Encourage the EU’s cooperation with China on product safety and support
the recent actions of the Chinese government against some manufacturers.
2. Advise the industry to revisit and potentially widen the education
programme to Chinese vendors.
3. Encourage the EU to strengthen surveillance and enforcement of toy
safety laws across all 27 member countries.
4. Advise the UK toy industry to strengthen further:
The design management and control of raw materials, suppliers
and manufacturing
Controls and random factory visits throughout the production process
Control of finished products/batches of products.
5. Support the efforts of retailers to help consumers make a purchasing
decision and assist them to buy age-appropriate toys.
6. Urge increased activity on the part of the BTHA to educate parents on
toy safety. Through http://www.btha.co.uk/parents_page, a one-stop
information point for parents, BTHA will encourage consumer vigilance
through guidance.
Bureau Veritas is Ready to Assist You
As one of the world’s foremost toy and consumer product quality and safety management organisations, Bureau Veritas is well placed to provide your organisation with testing, inspection, audit and consultancy services on a global basis.
Please contact us to discuss a ‘balanced’ approach to your Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Due Diligence program and the services we can provide both locally and at source to support your organisation and brand.
Contact Information
AMERICAS: Dave Dick, Senior Product Engineer, Tel: 1 (716) 505-3301; Email: dave.dick@us.bureauveritas.com
ASIA: Hong Kong Sales Division at (852) 2331-0304 or your Customer Service Representative at (852) 2331-022
EUROPE: Alan Kirwilliam, Director (Manchester, UK); Tel: +44 (0)161 796 2228; Email: alan.kirwilliam@uk.bureauveritas.com
 Printer-friendly Bulletin
Click here for a complete list of our Regulatory Bulletins
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
Copyright © 2007 Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved
|
