EU bans hormone-disrupting substances in toys

Many parents have probably wondered whether there could be dangerous substances in the toys their children come into contact with.

Now the EU is tightening the regulations on chemicals in toys to better protect children.

Among other things, a complete ban on PFAS in toys is being introduced. At the same time, suspected hormone-disrupting chemicals will also be banned for the first time.

This is stated by SF’s member of the EU Parliament, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, after the legislation was passed in the EU Parliament on Tuesday.

“For far too long, we have used children as guinea pigs while waiting for more research. With the new regulation, we are turning it on its head: If the chemicals can be dangerous, they must be removed from toys,” she says.

The new legislation also means that the stricter limits will no longer only apply to the smallest children under three years old, but will be implemented for toys for all children.

There is also a requirement that risks to children’s mental health must be assessed when it comes to digital toys or toys that are based on artificial intelligence.

At the same time, the rules are also being extended to toys designed for children with disabilities, so they receive the same safety and protection.

However, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen warns against believing that this means the fight against dangerous chemicals is over.

She points out that millions of toy products enter the EU via, among others, Chinese online stores like Temu. Here, legislation is still lacking, according to SF.

“We are getting a historically strong set of rules, but the work does not stop here. We need even stricter regulations for online marketplaces like Temu, so that dangerous toys do not reach Danish and European children,” says Kira Marie Peter-Hansen.

/ritzau/