Brussels, 23/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Antonio Tajani, European Commission Vice-President and Industry Commissioner, was in Rotterdam on Thursday 23 June to verify the opening of containers of toys that are checked daily to ensure that no harmful toys enter the EU market. Tajani's trip to the largest port in Europe took place one month from entry into force of new European regulations imposing greater surveillance of the EU market for imported toys, in order to ensure that toys sold in the EU meet maximum safety requirements especially with regard to the use of chemical products, elimination of suffocation risks and the legibility of warnings on labels. As of 20 July this year, manufacturers and importers will be under an obligation to comply with the more robust safety requirements imposed by the new directive on toy safety (Directive 2009/48/EC), in order to reduce the number of toy-related accidents. The new directive contains a ban on CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic) substances, which may be used only under very strict conditions, and the use of certain heavy elements and allergenic fragrances is strictly restricted.
Antonio Tajani, said: “I am delighted to acknowledge that the control measures are effective and provide a safe environment for our children”, adding: “I am confident that both member states and industry will help us in achieving this goal”. Member states should ensure that the market surveillance authorities perform adequate checks at EU external borders and within the EU including visits to premises of all economic operators to make sure that dangerous toys are immediately prohibited or withdrawn. Toys representing a serious risk could be destroyed by the surveillance authorities.
All toys marketed in the EU must carry an EC conformity marking which is the manufacturer's declaration that the toy satisfies all essential safety requirements - mechanical, physical, electric, hygienic, chemical - of the directive. It is incumbent upon importers to verify whether manufacturers have correctly carried out the conformity assessment. (A.N./transl.jl)