Table of Contents
Scope of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC
This directive applies to products designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age (hereinafter referred to as “toys”).
The products listed in Annex I are not considered toys within the meaning of this directive.
This directive does not apply to the following:
a) playground equipment intended for public use;
b) automatic playing machines, whether coin operated or not, intended for public use;
c) toy vehicles equipped with combustion engines;
d) toy steam engines; and
e) slings and catapults.
What the Directive States Regarding Documentation
The Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC states, among other things, the following about the manual:
Note: Always read the full directive to ensure complete understanding and to review all relevant requirements.
| Article 10(2) | Toys, including the chemicals they contain, shall not jeopardise the safety or health of users or third parties when they are used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the behaviour of children. The ability of the users and, where appropriate, their supervisors shall be taken into account, in particular, in the case of toys which are intended for use by children under 36 months or by other specified age groups. Labels affixed in accordance with Article 11(2) and instructions for use which accompany toys shall draw the attention of users or their supervisors to the inherent hazards and risks of harm involved in using the toys, and to the ways of avoiding such hazards and risks. |
| Article 11(2) | The manufacturer shall mark the warnings in a clearly visible, easily legible and understandable and accurate manner on the toy, on an affixed label or on the packaging and, if appropriate, on the instructions for use which accompany the toy. Small toys which are sold without packaging shall have appropriate warnings affixed to them. The warnings shall be preceded by the words ‘Warning’ or ‘Warnings’, as the case may be. Warnings which determine the decision to purchase the toy, such as those specifying the minimum and maximum ages for users and the other applicable warnings set out in Annex V, shall appear on the consumer packaging or be otherwise clearly visible to the consumer before the purchase, including in cases where the purchase is made on-line. |
| Annex II, Section V(2) | A toy intended for use by children under 36 months must be designed and manufactured in such a way that it can be cleaned. A textile toy shall, to this end, be washable, except if it contains a mechanism that may be damaged if soak washed. The toy shall fulfil the safety requirements also after having been cleaned in accordance with this point and the manufacturer’s instructions. |
| Annex V | SPECIFIC WARNINGS AND INDICATIONS OF PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN USING CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF TOYS |
| 1. Toys not intended for use by children under 36 months Toys which might be dangerous for children under 36 months of age shall bear a warning such as ‘Not suitable for children under 36 months’ or ‘Not suitable for children under three years’ or a warning in the form of the following graphic:  These warnings shall be accompanied by a brief indication, which may appear in the instructions for use, of the specific hazard calling for this precaution. This point shall not apply to toys which, on account of their function, dimensions, characteristics or properties, or on other cogent grounds, are manifestly unsuitable for children under 36 months. 2. Activity toys Activity toys shall bear the following warning: ‘Only for domestic use’. Activity toys attached to a crossbeam as well as other activity toys, where appropriate, shall be accompanied by instructions drawing attention to the need to carry out checks and maintenance of the main parts (suspensions, fixings, anchorages, etc.) at intervals, and pointing out that, if these checks are not carried out, the toy may cause a fall or overturn. Instructions must also be given as to the correct assembly of the toy, indicating those parts which can present a danger if incorrectly assembled. Specific information regarding a suitable surface on which to place the toy shall be given. |
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