Slovenian organisations call for toxic-free toys in EU
Ljubljana, 22 December - The Slovenian Consumer Association (ZPS), backed by two other organisations, has urged Slovenian MEPs and other Slovenia's representatives in Brussels to support stricter rules on the safety of toys to make sure children play with toxic-free toys. Dangerous chemicals can affect children's development, the ZPS warns.
Ljubljana
Toys.
Photo: Wood festival
File photo
The ZPS, which joined forces with the Association of Friends of the Youth of Slovenia (ZPMS) and the Ecoschool programme in the initiative, noted that despite an EU directive on toy safety restricting the contents of some dangerous chemicals in toys, ZPS tests show that there is still too much toys on the market that do not meet the regulations.
"The list of harmful chemicals such as hormone disruptors, carcinogens and perpetual chemicals that can be found in toys is long. They include: bisphenols, PFAS, phthalates, formaldehyde, solvents and biocides," the ZPS said a few days ago.
More than 600 toys have been recalled from the common EU market this year alone, 249 of them because of chemical hazards, they said.
Children's bodies are still developing and are particularly sensitive to even the smallest amounts of harmful chemicals. "Possible effects include disturbances in the hormonal system and brain development, poorer response to vaccinations, obesity and some types of cancer," the ZPS said.
PFAS chemicals have been banned in food packaging since this year, so the ZPS sees no reason why they are still allowed in toys. The association also points out that bisphenols have no place in toys either.
New, stricter rules on toy safety are now in the process of being adopted. The new rules, which in addition to improved chemical safety also include better privacy protection (e.g. for electronic toys) and better labelling (digital passport), were already approved by a large majority in the European Parliament at first reading last year, the ZPS said.
In early 2025, representatives of Slovenia and other EU member states will also decide on the new rules, and the organisations are calling on the Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sport and the Health Ministry and the Chemicals Office, which are responsible for the toy market under Slovenian law, to support the amendments to the toy safety directive as approved by the EU Parliament.
"Slovenia's representatives in Brussels - government representatives and MEPs - can play an important role in the crucial process of revising the directive. We expect to lead by example and support in maintaining the highest standards of protection for children's health and rights. Parents across Europe expect nothing less," stressed Jasmina Bevc Bahar from the ZPS.