Chinese exporters are paying close attention to the EU's implementation of the new toy directive.
Recently, the issue of Chinese toy exports to the EU has continued to receive attention due to the EU Trade Commissioner's visit to Beijing and reports indicating that toys remain one of China's largest exports to the EU.
A recent report by Global Sources indicates that China's toy and game industry has been severely impacted by weak overseas demand, and increasingly stringent product standards will likely lead more companies to cut production lines or cease operations. According to the Global Sources report, the main trends for Chinese toy and game suppliers next year include the following:
Even with stricter regulations and technical barriers imposed by the EU, it remains one of the largest overseas markets for Chinese businesses.
Toy and game manufacturers will further expand their market by targeting a wider range of age groups, including collectors and hobbyists (since the new Toy Safety Directive does not define collectible and hobby products as toys, these products are not subject to strict standards).
*Although adhering to strict regulations increases costs, we are committed to maintaining stable product prices.
*Invest in product research and development.
With the peak season for toy exports fast approaching, Chinese traders and manufacturers will inevitably be affected by technical barriers, a measure that countries will increasingly adopt amid the global economic crisis. In fact, a recent report by Global Sources indicates that 47% of toy and game manufacturers consider stricter overseas standards a major challenge in the next 12 months.
According to the new Toy Safety Directive published by the European Union on June 30, 2009, member states will implement the relevant provisions on January 20, 2011. Key points deserve further review. Furthermore, the new directive includes a transition period; toys placed on the market before July 20, 2011, can be subject to either the new or old directive. Regarding the new chemical regulations for toys, the transition period ends on July 20, 2013. The following are the major revisions of the new directive:
*The new directive clarifies the definition of "toy" as any product, whether or not intended solely for children under the age of 14. (Annex 1 lists products not classified as toys, including certain categories of collectibles, but their packaging must display identifiable and clear markings indicating that the collectibles are intended only for persons aged 14 or older.)
* New interpretations are proposed, including definitions of "put on the market," "producer," and "importer."
*New requirements have been introduced for manufacturers' EC Declaration of Conformity. The assessment items in the declaration must include an analysis of the potential hazards of the toy in terms of chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical, flammability, hygiene, and radiation. Manufacturers must provide one EC Declaration of Conformity for each toy model.
Manufacturers must conduct a safety/risk assessment of the toy and identify any potential hazards. The assessment must be documented in the technical documentation.
The new directive provides further details regarding production control regulations. Manufacturers are responsible for conducting internal production controls and must perform self-assessments.
The most significant revision of the new directive compared to the old one is in the provisions regarding new chemicals, stipulating that:
#Toys must comply with EU chemical regulations, including the REACH regulation.
#Toys and toy parts must not contain CMR1 and CMR2 substances that are carcinogenic, teratogenic, or harmful to human fertility. Toys may be exempted if children cannot come into contact with these harmful substances in any form, including through inhalation.
#Cosmetic toys, such as cosmetics used in dolls, must comply with the ingredient and labeling requirements of EU Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC.
#With certain exceptions, toys are generally prohibited from containing allergenic fragrances.
The new regulations apply to toys sold with food. Toys that are contained in or mixed with food must be individually packaged in appropriately sized containers to prevent children from swallowing or inhaling them.
#Toys intended for children under 36 months must be washable. Unless the internal mechanisms of a textile toy would be damaged by soaking and washing, the toy must be washable.
The new toy safety directive can be found at the following website:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:170:0001:0037:EN:PDF
– Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website, 2009-09-18
Other related files to download: Toy Directive.pdf
