"Risk assessment is a major challenge"

"Risk assessment is a major challenge"

One of the central topics discussed among the trade visitors to the International Toy Fair will be the changeover to the new Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. In TÜV SÜD's experience, the comprehensive risk assessment set forth in the new Directive and its differentiation from other Directives present particular challenges for the entire sector. At the trade fair, the TÜV SÜD toy professionals will present their international service portfolio and answer practical questions asked by EU manufacturers, importers, retailers and authorized representatives (Hall 11.1, Stand E-03).

From cunning puzzles to cuddly penguins, from princess dolls to police cars: the International Toy Fair held in Nuremberg between 1 and 6 February 2012 will once again demonstrate the wealth of imagination involved in the products in this sector. However, what exactly are toys? The new Toy Directive that came into effect in July 2011 offers the following definition: "Products designed or intended, whether exclusively or not, for use in play by children under 14 years of age."

Three consequences of the new definition in practice:

  • A children's loft bed combined, say, with a slide and/or a basketball basket must comply with both the requirements of the Toy Safety Directive and applicable furniture standards.
  • Toys for pets which may also be used by children to play with and/or may be mistaken for children's toys must comply with Directive 2009/48/EC.
  • And babies' dummies supplied with a dummy chain that can be used as a grab toy must fulfil both the requirements set forth in the Toy Safety Directive and the criteria for baby products.

"The revision of the European toys legislation involves plenty of detailed provisions", says Robert Ziegler, toy safety expert at TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH. "Practice has shown that their implementation poses a great challenge for the entire sector."

Manufacturers, importers, retailers and authorized EU representatives – the Directive defines the responsibilities of the individual stakeholders. Comprehensive risk assessment required from manufacturers within the scope of technical documentation poses a special challenge. The range of risk assessment criteria extends from mechanical to hygiene hazards. "Within the scope of risk assessment, manufacturers must address possible injury hazards in detail", says Ziegler. Given this, risk assessment is definitely a challenging task for small- and medium-sized enterprises in particular.

Product Safety Act strengthens GS mark

The European Toy Safety Directive has been transposed into German law in the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) which replaced the German Equipment and Product Safety Act (GPSG) on 1 December 2011. Providing for stricter market supervision and further requirements, the ProdSG not least also strengthens the voluntary GS mark which indicates that a product has been tested for safety, thus supporting all manufacturers, importers and retailers who have affixed the GS mark to their products. TÜV SÜD's survey on testing and certification marks carried out by TNS Infratest last year emphasizes the significant role that testing and certification marks play in purchase decisions: Almost 70 per cent of respondents want to know whether a product has been tested, and if so, by which organization. Over 80 per cent of consumers would opt for a product tested by TÜV SÜD and/or a product which comes with a GS mark affixed by TÜV SÜD or the TÜV SÜD Octagon.

What are the individual steps on the road to gaining the GS mark? How to interpret the EN 71 series in cases of doubt? What must be expected for individual toys when the new chemical requirements of the Toy Safety Directive come into force in July 2013? The toy experts of TÜV SÜD Product Service offer advice on all issues. "Of course, our consulting services also consider the requirements of global markets", emphasizes Robert Ziegler. He points out that TÜV SÜD has over 600 locations and is continuously expanding its testing infrastructure; this applies in particular to the company's new laboratory facilities in Asia Pacific.

  • Contact for general questions related to TÜV SÜD Product Service's presence at the International Toy Trade Fair in Nuremberg: .
  • Visitors who want to make an appointment with TÜV SÜD at the trade fair and require a ticket for the fair to do so can go to www.tuev-sued.de/ps/spielwarenmesse. (only available in German)

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