New EU Rules to Ban Harmful Substances in Toys

The European Union is strengthening toy safety regulations with a new rule that will take effect on January 1, 2026. The regulation aims to protect children from harmful chemicals in toys by banning substances that disrupt hormones, damage lungs, cause skin allergies, or negatively affect specific organs. Special mention is made of the ban on PFAS and bisphenols, as well as the strengthening of the existing ban on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reproductive toxic substances. A key element of the new regulation is the introduction of a digital product passport for all toys available on the EU market. This passport will contain information about the safety and compliance of the product and will be accessible to consumers via QR code or other means. Customs authorities will be able to check the passport for toys sold online and imported into the EU. The new regulation is expected to significantly improve the enforcement of toy safety rules in the EU, providing authorities with the tools they need to identify and remove dangerous products from the market. The digitization of information and easier access to it will also contribute to consumer awareness and the protection of children's health. The regulation will be implemented on August 1, 2030, giving businesses sufficient time to adapt to the new requirements. The approval of the regulation by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU marks a significant step forward in protecting the health and safety of children throughout the European Union.