Toy Industries of Europe (TIE), the Brussels-based organisation representing toy manufacturers across the European Union and the UK, has issued a concerning report. Published on 17 October, the report details the results of a market study in which over 100 toys were purchased and tested from third-party sellers on ten online platforms, including Allegro, Amazon Marketplace, Temu, and Shein.

According to the report, nearly 80% of the toys tested failed to comply with EU safety standards, including those outlined in the Toy Safety Directive. Independent laboratory testing revealed significant health risks for children, such as choking hazards and the presence of toxic chemicals.

The study exclusively tested unbranded toys or those from "unknown brands." As a result, the findings do not represent the safety of all toys available on the platforms. Although TIE did not specify the criteria to distinguish "branded" toys from "unknown brands," the report implies that the latter includes products from companies lacking legal representation in Europe.

A comprehensive list of hazardous toys can be found on the TIE website. Among the dangerous items identified on Allegro were slime products that exceeded acceptable levels of boron, a substance known to harm the reproductive system. The list also included electronic toys with battery compartments that could easily open or fall off, posing a choking risk.

The report highlighted several hazardous toys purchased from online platforms. For instance, a toy saxophone from Amazon posed dual risks: choking due to small detachable parts and potential hearing damage as the volume exceeded safe limits. At Shein, a set of inflatable water toys was found to contain phthalates, chemicals harmful to the respiratory and reproductive systems. Magnetic toys from Temu featured small parts that could cause intestinal injury if swallowed.

The European Union boasts the world's strictest toy safety regulations. Still, the report's authors warned that these measures are ineffective when online marketplaces are not legally accountable for the quality of the products they offer. Sellers on platforms like Allegro and Shein may operate outside the jurisdiction of EU law. Toy Industries of Europe argues that this regulatory gap should be closed by mandating that online retailers verify the compliance of products with EU safety standards.

Source: toyindustries.eu