Europe’s New Toy Safety Regulation Nears the Finish Line
16 / 09 / 2025
European Legislation
On 11 June 2025, COREPER (the Committee of Permanent Representatives) approved the latest compromise proposal for the new European Toy Safety Regulation (TSR), set to replace Directive 2009/48/EC.
The text still requires formal approval by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament, with a plenary vote scheduled for October 2025. Publication in the Official Journal of the EU is expected in November 2025. Although described as the “final compromise text”, no further changes are anticipated.
Building on the existing rules, the new Toy Safety Regulation will update the safety requirements that toys must meet to be marketed in the EU, whether they are manufactured in the EU or elsewhere. More specifically, today's agreement will:
- Better protect against harmful chemicals: In addition to the substances already banned, the new Regulation will prohibit the use of chemicals that affect the endocrine system (endocrine disruptors) or the respiratory system, those that can create skin allergies or are toxic to a specific organ. It will also ban the use of dangerous bisphenols and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in toys.
- Better use of digital tools: with the new Regulation, all toys will be required to have a Digital Product Passport in the format of a data carrier, such as a QR code, on the toy. Consumers or authorities will easily see the toy's product, compliance and other information. Importers will have to submit digital product passports at the EU borders, including for toys sold online. A new IT system will screen all digital product passports at the EU's external borders and will identify the shipments that need detailed controls at customs. Checks on toys by national inspectors will be facilitated, as information will be readily available in the digital product passport. This will streamline actions against unsafe toys in the EU and ensure that all toys manufacturers can compete equally and fairly.
Key objectives of the new TSR:
- Stronger protection of children from harmful chemicals (e.g., endocrine disruptors, substances affecting the immune or nervous system).
- Safeguards against psychological and cognitive risks.
- Fewer unsafe and non-compliant toys on the EU market.
- Introduction of a digital product passport for better traceability.
- Enhanced enforcement, particularly for online sales.
Centexbel can help you with:
- the necessary testing according to EN71.
- the CE-marking of toys
